EP1870976B1 - Device for protecting against voltage surges with improved capacity for securing by disconnection and corresponding method - Google Patents

Device for protecting against voltage surges with improved capacity for securing by disconnection and corresponding method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1870976B1
EP1870976B1 EP07356082.3A EP07356082A EP1870976B1 EP 1870976 B1 EP1870976 B1 EP 1870976B1 EP 07356082 A EP07356082 A EP 07356082A EP 1870976 B1 EP1870976 B1 EP 1870976B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mes
representative
discharge current
protective component
value
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EP07356082.3A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1870976A2 (en
EP1870976A3 (en
Inventor
Hervé LINDEPERG
Vincent André Lucien Crevenat
Alain René Robert Lagnoux
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ABB France SAS
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ABB France SAS
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H9/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection
    • H02H9/04—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection responsive to excess voltage
    • H02H9/042—Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection responsive to excess voltage comprising means to limit the absorbed power or indicate damaged over-voltage protection device

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the general technical field of protective devices for installations and electrical equipment against electrical surges, including transients such as those due to lightning.
  • the present invention relates more particularly to a device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages comprising on the one hand at least one protection component intended to be connected to said electrical installation, such as a varistor, said protection component being capable of to be traversed by an electric discharge current when connected to the electrical installation, and secondly a disconnection means adapted, when activated, to disconnect said protection component of said electrical installation.
  • the invention also relates to a method of monitoring a protection device of an electrical installation against overvoltages comprising firstly at least one protective component intended to be connected to said electrical installation, such as a varistor, said protection component being able to be traversed by an electric discharge current when it is connected to the electrical installation, and secondly a disconnection means able, when activated, to disconnect said protection component from said electrical installation.
  • These protection devices generally comprise one or more overvoltage protection components, such as for example a varistor.
  • overvoltage protection components such as for example a varistor.
  • the component or components When the component or components are exposed to voltages higher than a predetermined threshold value, they are likely to discharge the fault current (so-called “on " state), for example to earth, while limiting the overvoltage to a compatible value. with the maintenance of the installation and the equipment connected to it.
  • Protection devices using varistors are generally connected between a phase to be protected and the neutral, or earth, or another phase (case of a differential protection) and subjected, under normal operating conditions, to a supply voltage alternative under which the varistor normally has a very high impedance (so-called “blocking state ").
  • the impedance of the varistor in its blocking state is such that, under the normal supply voltage, the electric current flowing through said varistor, called “leakage current ", is of negligible intensity, usually less than 100 microamperes.
  • protection devices comprising a varistor have the risk of failure due to the degradation of this protection component.
  • the varistor ages or is damaged by exposure to voltage and / or current conditions which exceed its structural capacity of electrical and / or thermal resistance, it can undergo an alteration of its isolation power, that is, see its impedance reduced so that its state becomes on even under normal power conditions.
  • the overvoltage protection devices are generally provided with thermal disconnection means for electrically isolating the protection component or components of the electrical installation in the event of overheating of these.
  • the thermal disconnection means may thus comprise a detection means formed by a temperature-sensitive element of the protection component, such as a fusible solder, which controls the opening of a contact placed in series with the connection means of the device. protection component to the electrical installation.
  • a temperature-sensitive element of the protection component such as a fusible solder
  • Such disconnection means offer satisfactory protection against a progressive failure of the protection component, as is the case during the degradation of the varistor by normal aging.
  • the latter is in fact accompanied by a so-called “ thermal runaway " phenomenon which is usually spread over a relatively long period, in particular of several minutes, or even of several tens of minutes, during which the varistor becomes progressively variable. and sees his temperature rise relatively slowly and substantially homogeneous.
  • the known disconnection means are able to trigger before the temperature of the component reaches a critical threshold of dangerousness (for example the melting point or ignition of a surrounding component).
  • thermal disconnection means are generally unsuitable in cases where a sudden failure leads to a rapid heating of the protection component.
  • the reactivity of the known thermal disconnection means is based on response times characteristic of heat transfer phenomena, in particular those involved in the change of state of the constituent material of the fuse solder.
  • the temporal inertia of such phenomena is substantially incompatible with early detection of a component malfunction whose effects would be manifested sharply, particularly at a point remote from the detection means.
  • a sudden deterioration of the varistor is likely to lead to a dangerous heating of it or a circuit element, before the thermal disconnection means present could open the supply circuit to cut the current which is at the origin of said heating.
  • the electrical distribution networks can be subjected, in addition to transient overvoltages whose duration is of the order of a few tens to a few hundred microseconds, to temporary overvoltages of the same frequency as that of the network whose duration is significantly longer. long and usually between several hundred milliseconds and several minutes.
  • These disruptive phenomena usually designated by the acronym " TOV” for "Temporary OverVoltage ", affect in particular poorly stabilized distribution networks due to their obsolescence. or their design not governed by strict standards, and are likely to cause rapid degradation of varistors.
  • TOV Temporal OverVoltage
  • a first possibility is, according to a constructive arrangement frequently used, to place the heating detection means closer to the varistor, and more particularly to attach it substantially in the center thereof. Such an arrangement is however ineffective when the heating occurs rapidly at a point remote from said detection means, so that a critical temperature can be locally reached before the heat has reached said detection means.
  • EP0326903 discloses an analysis means for applying a processing to a signal so as to determine whether the discharge current is transient in nature or of a temporary nature
  • the objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to remedy the various disadvantages listed above and to propose a new device for protecting electrical installations against overvoltages which is capable of detecting a failure of the protection component, or the appearance of conditions conducive to such a failure, and disconnect said protection component faster than with the known thermal disconnection means, while having an optimized discharge power.
  • Another object of the invention is to propose a new device for protecting electrical installations against overvoltages which is of simple and reliable design.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide an overvoltage protection device whose sensitivity can be adjusted according to the conditions of use.
  • Another object assigned to the invention is to propose which guarantees a good continuity of protection.
  • Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new device for protection against overvoltages which is particularly robust, especially vis-à-vis the TOV, and whose longevity is optimized.
  • Another object of the invention is to propose a method of monitoring a protection device of an electrical installation against overvoltages that allows the preservation of said device and / or at least its quick and reliable security in case of failure, while optimizing its discharge power.
  • Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new method that optimizes the use and longevity of the protection component or components present within an overvoltage protection device.
  • the protection device 1 against overvoltages according to the invention is intended to be connected bypass on the equipment or the electrical installation 2 to be protected.
  • electrical installation refers to any type of device or network powered electrically and susceptible to voltage disturbances, including transient overvoltages due to lightning.
  • the protective device 1 can therefore advantageously constitute a device for protection against transient overvoltages due to lightning, that is to say a “surge arrester ".
  • the protection device 1 may be disposed between a phase of the installation 2 to be protected and earth, or, without departing from the scope of the invention, between the neutral and the earth, between the phase and neutral or between two phases in the case of differential protection, as illustrated in figure 1 .
  • the protection device 1 comprises at least one protection component 3, such as a varistor, intended to be connected to the electrical installation to be protected 2 at the level of electrical connection means 4, 5.
  • a protection component such as a varistor
  • each protection component 3 is formed by a varistor, it being understood that the use of a varistor is only indicated as a preferred example and in no way constitutes a limitation of the invention.
  • the protection component 3 When it is connected to the electrical installation 2, the protection component 3 can be traversed by an electric discharge current I.
  • the protective device 1 also comprises a disconnection means 6 adapted, when activated, to disconnect the protection component 3 of the electrical installation 2.
  • Said disconnection means 6 is thus capable of passing from a deactivated configuration, in which it allows the electrical connection of the component 3 to the installation 2, to an activated configuration in which it interrupts said electrical connection.
  • the disconnection means 6 may advantageously comprise a contact element 7 movable between a closed position in which the varistor 3 is electrically connected to the installation 2 and an open position in which said varistor 3 is electrically isolated from said installation 2 .
  • the disconnecting means 6 may also comprise an actuating means 8 adapted to control the passage of the contact means 7 from its closed position to its open position, and / or vice versa, from its open position to its position. closure.
  • the actuating means 8 may for example be formed by an electromechanical actuator adapted to drive the contact element 7 by means of a mechanical connection such as a rod or a connecting rod.
  • the contact element 7 is prestressed towards its open position by means of a return means, such as a spring, and is held in the closed position by a retaining means hindering its movement, the actuating means 8 being able to move said retaining means back in such a manner as to release the movement of the contact element 7.
  • the protection device 1 further comprises an acquiring means 10 adapted to provide a I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current through the protection component 3 in function of time t .
  • the acquisition means 10 will make it possible to measure or evaluate one or more characteristic quantities of the electric current flowing in the varistor 3, in particular the intensity of said current as a function of time, by translating these characteristic quantities. in the form of an image signal carrying the information necessary for their evaluation.
  • the acquisition and exploitation of information relating to the intensity of the discharge electric current that passes through the protection component 3 makes it possible to directly monitor the causes of a heating of said protection component 3.
  • the acquisition means 10 will include an inductive type sensor 11. If necessary, the acquisition means 10 may also include a filter and / or an amplifier means and / or a converter means.
  • the protective device 1 also comprises an analyzing means 12 for applying a processing to the I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current so as to determine the nature of said stream discharge.
  • the analysis means 12 is particularly suitable for determining whether the protective component 3 is or has been traversed by a discharge current of a transient nature or by a discharge current of a more durable nature, especially temporary.
  • the analysis means 12 makes it possible to discriminate the discharge currents, by identifying whether their characteristic duration corresponds to that of a transient phenomenon or to that of a temporary phenomenon.
  • the protection device 1 further comprises a selective activation means 14 able to activate or not the disconnection means 6 depending on the nature of the discharge current which has been determined by the means of analysis 12.
  • the selective activation means 14 does not activate the disconnection means 6 when the analysis means 12 determines that the discharge current is transient in nature.
  • the electrical, thermal and mechanical strength of the protective component 3 depends not only on the amount of electrical energy that it is provided but also the time required for the administration of this energy.
  • the same amount of electrical energy depending on whether it will be conveyed by a transient phenomenon such as an overvoltage due to lightning or by a more durable phenomenon such as a temporary overvoltage (TOV) will be in the first case likely to be passed without damage by the protection component 3, while it will have an irreversible destructive effect on said component 3 in the second case.
  • a transient phenomenon such as an overvoltage due to lightning or by a more durable phenomenon such as a temporary overvoltage (TOV)
  • the device according to the invention is therefore able to recognize various types of discharge currents and capable of adapting its behavior, and more specifically the activation of the disconnection means, depending on the distinction that it makes between said types of discharge currents.
  • the analyzing means 12 is adapted to perform an upper boundary of the I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current, the value of said signal can not then exceed a predefined maximum rated I u.
  • the value of the signal I mes is increased by a maximum value I sup preferably chosen substantially less than the peak intensity corresponding to a permissible discharge current caused by an overvoltage due to lightning.
  • the acquisition means 10 preferably provides the signal I mes of the intensity of the current which passes through the protection component 3 in the form of a voltage U mes while the analysis means 12 comprises a voltage limiting element, such as a clipping varistor 15, to prevent the value of said voltage U mes from exceeding a predetermined maximum value.
  • a voltage limiting element such as a clipping varistor
  • the acquisition means 12 can associate, in parallel, an inductive sensor 11 with a clipping varistor 15 so that, whatever the actual intensity of the discharge current flowing through the protection component 3, in particular during peaks due to lightning discharges, its image U mes is increased by the clipping voltage of said varistor 15.
  • the analyzing means 12 is adapted to determine a representative my E value of the electrical energy received by the protective component and the activation means 14 is arranged to activate the disconnecting means 6 when said value E mes representative of the energy received by the protection component 3 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value E threshold .
  • the predetermined value E threshold will be chosen to be substantially equal to the maximum energy allowed by the protection component 3, as it appears in the data supplied by the manufacturer of said protection component 3.
  • the analyzing means 12 calculates the value E my representative of the energy received by the protective component 3 by integrating the I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current as a function of time t.
  • FIG. 5a it is shown, on a same graph whose ordinate axis corresponds to the intensity of the discharge current and whose abscissa axis corresponds to time t, a first representative curve C F a discharge current caused by a transient overvoltage due to lightning and a second curve C TOV representative of a discharge current caused by a temporary overvoltage, more durable than the overvoltage due to lightning.
  • the lightning discharge curve C F is characterized by the intensity of its peak I PIC and by its duration t F , which corresponds to the duration of a transient phenomenon.
  • the first curve C F and the second curve C TOV respectively delimit, with respect to the abscissa axis, a first area A F and a second area A TOV. Said areas correspond mathematically to the integral of said intensity curves as a function of time, that is to say physically to values representative of the energies respectively received by the protection component 3.
  • the first area A F substantially corresponds to the maximum energy E threshold allowed by the protection component 3 and that the area of the second area A TOV is equal to that of the first area A F , this which means that the same energy E threshold is provided in both cases to the protection component 3.
  • this energy can be dissipated substantially without damage in the case of the first curve C F , it in turn reflects a destructive phenomenon in the case of the second curve C TOV .
  • the integration window implemented by the analysis means 12 is represented in the form of a rectangle.
  • the integrating window is delimited along the ordinate axis by the intensity value I sup of the intensity I mes , and along the abscissa axis by a chosen integration time t I.
  • said rectangle contains all of the second curve C TOV , and therefore encompasses the second area A TOV . More precisely, the intersection of the rectangle and the second area A TOV coincides with said second area A TOV and has an area equal to the latter area.
  • the result of the integration of the second curve C TOV supplied by the analysis means 12, denoted A ' TOV and represented by the shaded area is equal to A TOV , that is to say that my E E reaches threshold, which causes the activation of the disconnecting means 6.
  • the limitation of the signal representative of the intensity of the discharge current as described above and the integration operation of the signal thus bounded are not limited to the implementation of a distinction between transient overvoltages. and overvoltages of a temporary nature, but can also be implemented independently as such, in particular in an analysis means 12 intended to diagnose any characteristic duration of administration to a protection component of a quantity of predetermined energy.
  • the analysis means 12 may advantageously comprise an integrating component such as a capacitor C 1 .
  • the capacitor is indeed a simple and inexpensive means of correlating the intensity to time because the voltage U c at its terminals corresponds to an integration of the intensity of the current implemented during charging and / or discharging cycles.
  • the circuit illustrated in FIG. figure 3 comprises load resistors R 1 , R 2 which make it possible to adjust the characteristic time constants of the charge / discharge circuit of the capacitor C 1 .
  • the analysis means 12 preferably comprises at least one element for adjusting the integration duration t I of the I mes signal, such as one or more resistive components R 1 , R 2 .
  • the integration time t 1 will be chosen so that it is compatible on the one hand with a transient discrimination function and on the other hand with a response time of device 1 which is sufficiently short to ensure that the disconnection occurs before a dangerous heating of the protection component 3 under the effect of TOV.
  • the integration time t i equal to or strictly greater than the duration t F characteristic of the expected transient phenomena, and less than or equal to an arbitrary duration characteristic of the TOVs, for example taken in the low range of duration, will preferably be chosen.
  • the integration time chosen will preferably be located substantially at the boundary between transient phenomena and temporary phenomena.
  • said integration time t 1 is substantially equal to twice the half-time descent time of a normalized shock wave.
  • the integration time t I will preferably be substantially between 400 ⁇ s (microseconds) and 5 ms (milliseconds), and particularly preferably between 500 ⁇ s (microseconds) and 1 ms (millisecond).
  • the selective activation means 14 comprises an element allowing the setting of the predetermined value E threshold .
  • this adjustment is made by a potentiometric circuit R 4 , R 5 for defining a reference voltage U threshold .
  • the parameters governing the operation of the device 1 and more particularly the management of the medium 6, in particular E threshold , I sup and t I are definitively determined by construction. It is however perfectly possible to provide adjustment means or programming, allowing adjustment of these parameters to the conditions of use, for example by a technician responsible for the installation of the device 1.
  • the selective activation means 14 preferably comprises a comparator element capable of comparing the value E my representative of the electrical energy received by the protective component at a predetermined value E th.
  • the selective activation means 14 comprises for this purpose a hysteresis comparator using an operational amplifier 17.
  • the varistor 3 When the contact element 7 is in the closed position, the varistor 3 is electrically connected to the installation 2 to be protected.
  • the varistor 3 is therefore likely to be traversed by an electric discharge current I. More particularly, said discharge current may correspond for example to a leakage current, more or less important depending on the state of said varistor 3, or at a current related to the clipping of an overvoltage applied between the connection terminals 4, 5.
  • the sensor 11 provides an image of this discharge current in the form of a voltage U mes , which is bounded by the clipping varistor 15.
  • the voltage thus bounded is then rectified by a rectifying means 16, for example formed by a or more diodes, and is likely to contribute to the progressive charging of the capacitor C 1 through the load resistance R1.
  • the charge of the capacitor C1 makes it appear and grow a voltage U c across it.
  • the voltage U c is applied to the non-inverting input of an operational amplifier 17 which operates in a saturated state and compares the voltage U c across the capacitor C 1 , which corresponds to the value E mes , with a reference voltage U threshold , which corresponds to the threshold value E.
  • the sign of the output signal U s of the operational amplifier 17 depends on the result of said comparison. In particular, when U c reaches or exceeds a threshold , the output voltage of the operational amplifier U s changes sign.
  • thermosensitive sensor 18 such as a thermocouple, capable of measuring the effects of the conversion of the electrical energy received by said protection component 3 into thermal energy.
  • the different detection means may be connected to the same common disconnection means 6, for example using a comparison means using a Boolean function of type "OR".
  • the activation of the disconnection means may be operated either in case of heating of the varistor 3, or in case of occurrence of a current deemed dangerous, or in a combination of these two cases.
  • the device 1 can implement, without departing from the scope of the invention, analog, digital, or combining these two technologies, in particular to perform the functions of acquisition, analysis, activation, setting or programming.
  • the disconnection means 6 can be arranged in such a way that, when it is activated, it operates a reversible disconnection of the protection component 3.
  • Such an arrangement could advantageously be implemented within a device 1 of modular design, capable of being rearmed after replacement of the defective protection component 3.
  • the use of a base containing the acquisition means 10, analysis 12, activation 14 and disconnection 6 on which could be fixed one or more cartridges containing one or more protection component 3 would avoid having to replace the entire device 1 too frequently.
  • the reversibility of the disconnection can advantageously be implemented automatically to allow the device 1 to ensure the preservation of the protection component 3. More precisely, it is thus possible to disconnect the latter in case of exposure to operating conditions likely to cause its premature degradation, in particular in the case of TOV, then to reconnect said protection component to the installation in order to guarantee the continuity of the protection against transient overvoltages.
  • the device 1 preferably comprises an automatic resetting means designed to cause the re-connection of the protection component 3 to be re-connected.
  • said resetting means cooperates with the disconnection means 6 to re-establish the connection by recalling the contact element 7 from its open position to its closed position.
  • the actuating means 8 may be formed by a relay whose reversing state change is controlled by the change of sign of the hysteresis comparator 17. The restoration of the connection can then take place when the capacitor C1 'is sufficiently discharged.
  • the device 1 comprises an off-service holding means designed to prevent re-connection of the protection component 3 by the automatic resetting means as long as the voltage across the device 1, the origin of the disconnection of the protection component 3, maintains a level higher than a predetermined safety voltage.
  • the device 1 may for example comprise a voltage measuring member connected to the electrical connection means 4, 5, and a comparator circuit capable of comparing the voltage across the device 1 to a safety threshold value and to provide an output signal, for example to a logic gate, which conditions, and in particular which suspends, the restoration of the connection by the resetting means.
  • the device according to the invention can proceed to a temporary suspension (or interruption) of service, during which it allows a temporary overvoltage affect the installation, then an active recovery of the protection.
  • the device 1 may advantageously constitute an exclusive means of protection against transient overvoltages.
  • thermomechanical such as those employing a fusible solder holding a prestressed spring leaf-type contact element to its position. opening.
  • the signal value I my Representative the intensity of the discharge current so that said value can not exceed a maximum I sup .
  • a value E mes representative of the electrical energy received by the protection component 3 is preferably determined, said value E mes representative of the energy received by the protection component 3 being preferably calculated by integrating the signal I my representative of the intensity as a function of time t.
  • the value E mes representative of the electrical energy received by the protection component 3 is compared with a predetermined value E threshold and the means of activation is activated. disconnection 6 if said value E mes representative of the energy received by the protection component 3 exceeds said predetermined value E threshold .
  • the dual condition necessary for the disconnection relating on the one hand to the crossing of a threshold energy received by the protection component 3, and on the other hand to the modalities of supply of this energy allows to conclude as to the harmful nature of the discharge for the said protective component 3.
  • integration time T I the I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current as greater than or equal to the duration t F characteristic phenomena of transient voltage surges, and less than or equal to a duration typical of temporary overvoltages belonging to the low range of the temporary overvoltages, said integration time t I being preferably chosen in the range between 400 microseconds and 5 milliseconds, and particularly preferably in the range between 500 microseconds and 1 millisecond .
  • the monitoring method according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to determine, during step (b) of analysis, whether the protection component 3 is traversed by a discharge current of a transient nature. or by a discharge current of a more durable nature, in particular a temporary one.
  • this process makes it possible to discriminate by matching signal analysis my I representative of the intensity of the discharge current flowing through said guard component 3 of restrictive criteria, so that only phenomena more durable than the transient phenomena, and in particular temporary phenomena (TOV), are likely to fulfill the conditions necessary to trigger the disconnection.
  • step (c) of selective activation it is possible not to activate, or to inhibit, the disconnection means 6 if the analysis step (b) determines that the discharge current is transient nature.
  • the steps (a), (b) and (e) are carried out substantially continuously during the operation of the device 1, so as to minimize the latency between the occurrence of a dangerous current and the activation of the disconnection means.
  • the implementation of the embodiment variant illustrated on the figure 3 allows a " slippery" integration of I mes and an almost immediate activation of the means of disconnection when U mes crosses U threshold .
  • the device 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible very quickly to establish a diagnosis of the state of the protection component 3 and thus to proceed if necessary to make said particularly precocious device 1 secure.
  • the fine management of the disconnection process based on an identification of the nature of the electrical phenomenon affecting the protection component 3 and on the adaptation of the response of the device 1 according to whether said phenomenon is of transient nature or of a more durable nature , especially temporary, allows a disconnection wisely. In particular, it can thus prevent an untimely opening of the discharge circuit while it flows a very high intensity caused by an overvoltage due to lightning.
  • the device 1 combines the two advantages of a very short reaction time, which allows an almost immediate safety in case of failure of the protection component, and a preservation of the discharge power said device, to the extent that it is possible to make work the protection component to the extreme limit of its capabilities.
  • the rapid activation of the disconnection means 6 can make it possible to isolate the protection component 3 while the voltage and / or current conditions have not yet reached the threshold from which an arc electrical power is likely to begin during the separation of the conductive parts of the contact means 7.
  • an appropriate adjustment of the device according to the invention ensures a clear and secure separation without formation of an electric arc that would prolong the circulation of a dangerous current or, where appropriate, under conditions conducive to the rapid extinction of an electric arc that may be formed.
  • a device 1 according to the invention is adapted not only to the disconnection of the protection component in the event of thermal runaway at the end of its life, but also, unlike the thermal disconnection means. known, in case of sudden failure related for example to the application of a TOV.

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Description

La présente invention se rapporte au domaine technique général des dispositifs de protection d'installations et d'équipements électriques contre les surtensions électriques, notamment transitoires telles que celles dues à la foudre.The present invention relates to the general technical field of protective devices for installations and electrical equipment against electrical surges, including transients such as those due to lightning.

La présente invention concerne plus particulièrement un dispositif de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions comportant d'une part au moins un composant de protection destiné à être raccordé à ladite installation électrique, tel qu'une varistance, ledit composant de protection étant susceptible d'être traversé par un courant électrique de décharge lorsqu'il est raccordé à l'installation électrique, et d'autre part un moyen de déconnexion apte, lorsqu'il est activé, à déconnecter ledit composant de protection de ladite installation électrique.The present invention relates more particularly to a device for protecting an electrical installation against overvoltages comprising on the one hand at least one protection component intended to be connected to said electrical installation, such as a varistor, said protection component being capable of to be traversed by an electric discharge current when connected to the electrical installation, and secondly a disconnection means adapted, when activated, to disconnect said protection component of said electrical installation.

L'invention concerne également un procédé de surveillance d'un dispositif de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions comportant d'une part au moins un composant de protection destiné à être raccordé à ladite installation électrique, tel qu'une varistance, ledit composant de protection étant susceptible d'être traversé par un courant électrique de décharge lorsqu'il est raccordé à l'installation électrique, et d'autre part un moyen de déconnexion apte, lorsqu'il est activé, à déconnecter ledit composant de protection de ladite installation électrique.The invention also relates to a method of monitoring a protection device of an electrical installation against overvoltages comprising firstly at least one protective component intended to be connected to said electrical installation, such as a varistor, said protection component being able to be traversed by an electric discharge current when it is connected to the electrical installation, and secondly a disconnection means able, when activated, to disconnect said protection component from said electrical installation.

Il est désormais classique d'avoir recours à des dispositifs de protection pour protéger des appareils ou installations électriques ou électroniques contre des surtensions transitoires pouvant être par exemple générées par des décharges dues à un impact de foudre.It is now traditional to use protective devices to protect electrical or electronic devices or installations against transient overvoltages that can be generated for example by discharges due to a lightning strike.

Ces dispositifs de protection comportent, d'une manière générale, un ou plusieurs composants de protection contre les surtensions, tel que par exemple une varistance. Lorsque le ou les composants sont exposés à des tensions supérieures à une valeur seuil prédéterminée, ils sont susceptibles d'écouler le courant de défaut (état dit « passant »), par exemple à la terre, tout en écrêtant la surtension à une valeur compatible avec la tenue de l'installation et des équipements qui y sont raccordés.These protection devices generally comprise one or more overvoltage protection components, such as for example a varistor. When the component or components are exposed to voltages higher than a predetermined threshold value, they are likely to discharge the fault current (so-called "on " state), for example to earth, while limiting the overvoltage to a compatible value. with the maintenance of the installation and the equipment connected to it.

Les dispositifs de protection utilisant des varistances sont généralement connectés entre une phase à protéger et le neutre, ou la terre, ou une autre phase (cas d'une protection différentielle) et soumis, en régime normal de fonctionnement, à une tension d'alimentation alternative sous laquelle la varistance présente normalement une impédance très élevée (état dit « bloquant »). L'impédance de la varistance dans son état bloquant est telle que, sous la tension normale d'alimentation, le courant électrique qui parcourt ladite varistance, dit « courant de fuite », est d'intensité négligeable, usuellement inférieure à 100 microampères.Protection devices using varistors are generally connected between a phase to be protected and the neutral, or earth, or another phase (case of a differential protection) and subjected, under normal operating conditions, to a supply voltage alternative under which the varistor normally has a very high impedance (so-called "blocking state "). The impedance of the varistor in its blocking state is such that, under the normal supply voltage, the electric current flowing through said varistor, called "leakage current ", is of negligible intensity, usually less than 100 microamperes.

Il est bien connu que les dispositifs de protection comportant une varistance présentent des risques de défaillance liés à la dégradation de ce composant de protection. En particulier, lorsque la varistance vieillit ou est endommagée par une exposition à des conditions de tension et/ou de courant qui dépassent ses capacités structurelles de tenue électrique et/ou thermique, celle-ci peut subir une altération de son pouvoir d'isolement, c'est-à-dire voir son impédance réduite de telle sorte que son état devient passant même sous des conditions normales d'alimentation.It is well known that protection devices comprising a varistor have the risk of failure due to the degradation of this protection component. In particular, when the varistor ages or is damaged by exposure to voltage and / or current conditions which exceed its structural capacity of electrical and / or thermal resistance, it can undergo an alteration of its isolation power, that is, see its impedance reduced so that its state becomes on even under normal power conditions.

La réduction, voire l'effondrement, de l'impédance de la varistance, et plus particulièrement de sa résistance électrique, se traduit par une élévation de l'intensité du courant de fuite qui traverse celle-ci. Outre le déséquilibre qu'est susceptible d'engendrer la présence d'un tel courant vis-à-vis de l'installation et/ou du réseau d'alimentation, ce phénomène peut conduire à des échauffements importants. Or, toute élévation excessive de la température est potentiellement dangereuse pour l'environnement tant matériel qu'humain du composant, du fait que celle-ci est susceptible d'occasionner par exemple une destruction des composants voisins de la varistance par fusion, voire une inflammation à l'origine d'un sinistre, et qu'elle expose l'utilisateur à un risque de brûlure accidentelle.The reduction, or even collapse, of the impedance of the varistor, and more particularly of its electrical resistance, results in an increase in the intensity of the leakage current flowing through it. In addition to the imbalance that may be caused by the presence of such a current vis-à-vis the installation and / or the supply network, this phenomenon can lead to significant heating. However, any excessive rise in temperature is potentially dangerous for the material as well as the human environment of the component, since this is likely to cause, for example, destruction of the components that are adjacent to the varistor by melting, or even inflammation. causing a disaster, and exposes the user to the risk of accidental burns.

Pour éviter de telles conséquences néfastes, ou tout du moins en limiter les effets, les dispositifs de protection contre les surtensions sont généralement pourvus de moyens de déconnexion thermiques destinés à isoler électriquement le ou les composants de protection de l'installation électrique en cas d'échauffement excessif de ces derniers.To avoid such harmful consequences, or at least to limit their effects, the overvoltage protection devices are generally provided with thermal disconnection means for electrically isolating the protection component or components of the electrical installation in the event of overheating of these.

Les moyens de déconnexion thermiques peuvent ainsi comporter un moyen de détection formé par un élément sensible à la température du composant de protection, tel qu'une soudure fusible, qui commande l'ouverture d'un contact placé en série avec les moyens de raccordement du composant de protection à l'installation électrique.The thermal disconnection means may thus comprise a detection means formed by a temperature-sensitive element of the protection component, such as a fusible solder, which controls the opening of a contact placed in series with the connection means of the device. protection component to the electrical installation.

De tels moyens de déconnexion offrent une protection satisfaisante vis-à-vis d'une défaillance progressive du composant de protection, comme cela est le cas lors de la dégradation de la varistance par vieillissement normal. Ce dernier s'accompagne en effet d'un phénomène dit d' « emballement thermique » qui s'étale usuellement sur une durée relativement longue, notamment de plusieurs minutes, voire de plusieurs dizaines de minutes, au cours de laquelle la varistance devient progressivement passante et voit sa température s'élever de façon relativement lente et sensiblement homogène. En la circonstance, les moyens de déconnexion connus sont aptes à se déclencher avant que la température du composant n'atteigne un seuil critique de dangerosité (par exemple le point de fusion ou d'inflammation d'un composant environnant).Such disconnection means offer satisfactory protection against a progressive failure of the protection component, as is the case during the degradation of the varistor by normal aging. The latter is in fact accompanied by a so-called " thermal runaway " phenomenon which is usually spread over a relatively long period, in particular of several minutes, or even of several tens of minutes, during which the varistor becomes progressively variable. and sees his temperature rise relatively slowly and substantially homogeneous. Under the circumstances, the known disconnection means are able to trigger before the temperature of the component reaches a critical threshold of dangerousness (for example the melting point or ignition of a surrounding component).

Toutefois, de tels moyens de déconnexion se révèlent en général inappropriés dans les cas où une défaillance soudaine conduit à un échauffement rapide du composant de protection. En effet, la réactivité des moyens de déconnexion thermique connus se fonde sur des temps de réponse caractéristiques des phénomènes de transfert de chaleur, en particulier ceux impliqués dans le changement d'état du matériau constitutif de la soudure fusible. L'inertie temporelle de tels phénomènes est sensiblement incompatible avec une détection précoce d'un dysfonctionnement du composant dont les effets se manifesteraient brusquement, en particulier en un point éloigné du moyen de détection. Ainsi, une dégradation brutale de la varistance est susceptible de conduire à un échauffement dangereux, de celle-ci ou d'un élément de circuit, avant que les moyens de déconnexion thermiques présents n'aient pu ouvrir le circuit d'alimentation afin de couper le courant qui se trouve à l'origine dudit échauffement.However, such disconnection means are generally unsuitable in cases where a sudden failure leads to a rapid heating of the protection component. Indeed, the reactivity of the known thermal disconnection means is based on response times characteristic of heat transfer phenomena, in particular those involved in the change of state of the constituent material of the fuse solder. The temporal inertia of such phenomena is substantially incompatible with early detection of a component malfunction whose effects would be manifested sharply, particularly at a point remote from the detection means. Thus, a sudden deterioration of the varistor is likely to lead to a dangerous heating of it or a circuit element, before the thermal disconnection means present could open the supply circuit to cut the current which is at the origin of said heating.

Or, les réseaux de distribution électrique peuvent être soumis, en sus des surtensions transitoires dont la durée est de l'ordre de quelques dizaines à quelques centaines de microsecondes, à des surtensions temporaires de même fréquence que celle du réseau dont la durée est sensiblement plus longue et généralement comprise entre plusieurs centaines de millisecondes et plusieurs minutes. Ces phénomènes perturbateurs, désignés usuellement par l'acronyme « TOV» pour « Temporary OverVoltage », affectent notamment les réseaux de distribution mal stabilisés du fait de leur vétusté ou de leur conception non régie par des normes strictes, et sont de nature à provoquer une dégradation rapide des varistances. Empiriquement, il s'avère que le temps nécessaire à la destruction - prématurée - d'une varistance exposée à une TOV dépassant sa tension normale de fonctionnement est de l'ordre de quelques dizaines de millisecondes. L'échauffement qui en résulte est généralement tout aussi rapide, très localisé et situé aléatoirement.However, the electrical distribution networks can be subjected, in addition to transient overvoltages whose duration is of the order of a few tens to a few hundred microseconds, to temporary overvoltages of the same frequency as that of the network whose duration is significantly longer. long and usually between several hundred milliseconds and several minutes. These disruptive phenomena, usually designated by the acronym "TOV" for "Temporary OverVoltage ", affect in particular poorly stabilized distribution networks due to their obsolescence. or their design not governed by strict standards, and are likely to cause rapid degradation of varistors. Empirically, it turns out that the time required for the - premature - destruction of a varistor exposed to a TOV exceeding its normal operating voltage is of the order of a few tens of milliseconds. The resulting warm-up is usually just as fast, very localized and randomly located.

Afin d'améliorer la rapidité de la déconnexion, plusieurs moyens sont connus. Une première possibilité consiste, selon une disposition constructive fréquemment employée, à placer le moyen de détection de l'échauffement au plus près de la varistance, et plus particulièrement de l'accoler sensiblement au centre de celle-ci. Une telle disposition se révèle toutefois inefficace lorsque l'échauffement se produit rapidement en un point éloigné dudit moyen de détection, de telle sorte qu'une température critique peut être localement atteinte avant que la chaleur ait pu parvenir audit moyen de détection.In order to improve the speed of the disconnection, several means are known. A first possibility is, according to a constructive arrangement frequently used, to place the heating detection means closer to the varistor, and more particularly to attach it substantially in the center thereof. Such an arrangement is however ineffective when the heating occurs rapidly at a point remote from said detection means, so that a critical temperature can be locally reached before the heat has reached said detection means.

Dans le cas où une soudure fusible est employée comme moyen de détection de l'échauffement, il est également connu de réduire le point de fusion de celle-ci, notamment par le choix de composants d'alliage spécifiques. Toutefois, cette solution est susceptible de se heurter aux normes environnementales qui interdisent l'emploi de certains matériaux pour la constitution d'alliages fusibles. De plus, elle présente fréquemment une incompatibilité avec les autres contraintes techniques régissant la mise en oeuvre du dispositif de protection, en particulier avec la tenue aux courants d'écoulement des surtensions transitoires dues à la foudre, lesquels sont très brefs mais d'intensité élevée. En d'autres termes, une modification qualitative de la soudure fusible est susceptible d'affecter le « pouvoir de décharge » du dispositif, c'est-à-dire l'intensité maximale du courant que ledit dispositif peut écouler, plusieurs fois de suite, sans être endommagé.In the case where a fusible solder is used as a means of detecting the heating, it is also known to reduce the melting point thereof, in particular by the choice of specific alloying components. However, this solution is likely to meet environmental standards that prohibit the use of certain materials for the constitution of fusible alloys. In addition, it frequently presents an incompatibility with the other technical constraints governing the implementation of the protection device, in particular with resistance to current flow transient overvoltages due to lightning, which are very brief but high intensity . In other words, a qualitative modification of the fuse solder is likely to affect the "discharge power" of the device, that is to say the maximum intensity of the current that said device can flow, several times in a row, without being damaged.

Par ailleurs, afin de préserver la varistance des dégradations brutales dues aux TOV, il est connu de l'homme du métier d'augmenter la tension normale de fonctionnement de ladite varistance par un dimensionnement approprié de cette dernière, de telle sorte que ladite tension normale de fonctionnement soit supérieure ou égale aux niveaux de tensions des TOV prévisibles. Si une telle disposition permet effectivement de rendre la varistance moins sensible aux TOV, elle présente par contre l'inconvénient majeur de dégrader significativement le niveau de protection de l'installation offert par la varistance vis-à-vis des surtensions transitoires notamment dues à la foudre. En effet, ce décalage du point de fonctionnement de la varistance en mode bloquant induit également celui du seuil de basculement en mode passant, si bien que les surtensions sont alors écrêtées à un niveau de tension plus élevé.Moreover, in order to preserve the varistor of the abrupt degradation due to the TOVs, it is known to those skilled in the art to increase the normal operating voltage of said varistor by appropriate dimensioning of the latter, so that said normal voltage operating level is greater than or equal to the voltage levels of the predictable TOVs. If such an arrangement makes it possible to make the varistor less sensitive to TOV, it has the major disadvantage of significantly degrading the level of protection of the installation offered by the varistor vis-à-vis the transient overvoltages due in particular to the lightning. Indeed, this offset of the operating point of the varistor in blocking mode also induces that of the switching threshold in the on mode, so that the overvoltages are then clipped to a higher voltage level.

Dans le domaine, on connaît EP0326903 qui divulgue un moyen d'analyse permettant d'appliquer un traitement à un signal de manière à pouvoir déterminer si le courant de décharge est de nature transitoire ou de nature temporaireIn the field, we know EP0326903 which discloses an analysis means for applying a processing to a signal so as to determine whether the discharge current is transient in nature or of a temporary nature

Les objets assignés à l'invention visent par conséquent à porter remède aux différents inconvénients énumérés précédemment et à proposer un nouveau dispositif de protection d'installations électriques contre les surtensions qui soit susceptible de détecter une défaillance du composant de protection, ou l'apparition de conditions propices à une telle défaillance, et de déconnecter ledit composant de protection plus rapidement qu'avec les moyens de déconnexion thermiques connus, tout en présentant un pouvoir de décharge optimisé.The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim to remedy the various disadvantages listed above and to propose a new device for protecting electrical installations against overvoltages which is capable of detecting a failure of the protection component, or the appearance of conditions conducive to such a failure, and disconnect said protection component faster than with the known thermal disconnection means, while having an optimized discharge power.

Un autre objet de l'invention vise à proposer un nouveau dispositif de protection d'installations électriques contre les surtensions qui soit de conception simple et fiable.Another object of the invention is to propose a new device for protecting electrical installations against overvoltages which is of simple and reliable design.

Un autre objet de l'invention vise à proposer un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions dont la sensibilité peut être ajustée en fonction des conditions d'utilisation.Another object of the invention is to provide an overvoltage protection device whose sensitivity can be adjusted according to the conditions of use.

Un autre objet assigné à l'invention vise à proposer qui garantisse une bonne continuité de protection.Another object assigned to the invention is to propose which guarantees a good continuity of protection.

Un autre objet assigné à l'invention vise à proposer un nouveau dispositif de protection contre les surtensions qui soit particulièrement robuste, notamment vis-à-vis des TOV, et dont la longévité soit optimisée.Another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new device for protection against overvoltages which is particularly robust, especially vis-à-vis the TOV, and whose longevity is optimized.

Un autre objet de l'invention vise à proposer un procédé de surveillance d'un dispositif de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions qui permette la préservation dudit dispositif et/ou à tout le moins sa mise en sécurité rapide et fiable en cas de défaillance, tout en optimisant son pouvoir de décharge.Another object of the invention is to propose a method of monitoring a protection device of an electrical installation against overvoltages that allows the preservation of said device and / or at least its quick and reliable security in case of failure, while optimizing its discharge power.

Enfin, un autre objet assigné à l'invention vise à proposer un nouveau procédé qui optimise l'utilisation et la longévité du ou des composants de protection présents au sein d'un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions.Finally, another object assigned to the invention is to propose a new method that optimizes the use and longevity of the protection component or components present within an overvoltage protection device.

Les objets assignés à l'invention sont atteints à l'aide d'un dispositif de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions comportant d'une part au moins un composant de protection destiné à être raccordé à ladite installation électrique, telle qu'une varistance, ledit composant de protection étant susceptible d'être traversé par un courant électrique de décharge lorsqu'il est raccordé à l'installation électrique, et d'autre part un moyen de déconnexion apte, lorsqu'il est activé, à déconnecter ledit composant de protection de ladite installation électrique, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend :

  • un moyen d'acquisition apte à fournir un signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité dudit courant de décharge en fonction du temps t ;
  • un moyen d'analyse permettant d'appliquer un traitement audit signal Imes de manière à pouvoir déterminer si le courant de décharge est de nature transitoire ou de nature temporaire;
  • un moyen d'activation sélectif apte à activer ou non le moyen de déconnexion en fonction de la nature du courant de décharge déterminée par le moyen d'analyse.
The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a protection device of an electrical installation against overvoltages comprising on the one hand at least one protective component intended to be connected to said electrical installation, such as a varistor, said protection component being able to be traversed by an electric discharge current when it is connected to the electrical installation, and secondly a disconnection means adapted, when activated, to disconnect said protection component of said electrical installation, characterized in that it comprises:
  • acquisition means adapted to provide a I signal I representative of the intensity of said discharge current as a function of time t;
  • analysis means for applying a treatment to said signal I mes so as to be able to determine whether the discharge current is transient or temporary in nature;
  • selective activation means adapted to activate or not the disconnection means according to the nature of the discharge current determined by the analysis means.

Les objets assignés à l'invention sont également atteints à l'aide d'un procédé de surveillance d'un dispositif de protection d'une installation électrique contre les surtensions comportant d'une part au moins un composant de protection destiné à être raccordé à ladite installation électrique, telle qu'une varistance, ledit composant de protection étant susceptible d'être traversé par un courant électrique de décharge lorsqu'il est raccordé à l'installation électrique, et d'autre part un moyen de déconnexion apte, lorsqu'il est activé, à déconnecter ledit composant de protection de ladite installation électrique, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte :

  • une étape (a) d'acquisition au cours de laquelle on acquiert un signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité dudit courant de décharge en fonction du temps t,
  • une étape (b) d'analyse au cours de laquelle on applique un traitement audit signal Imes de manière à pouvoir déterminer si le courant de décharge est de nature transitoire ou de nature temporaire,
  • une étape (c) d'activation sélective au cours de laquelle on active ou non le moyen de déconnexion en fonction de la nature du courant de décharge déterminée lors de l'étape (b) d'analyse.
The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a method of monitoring a protection device of an electrical installation against overvoltages comprising firstly at least one protection component intended to be connected to said electrical installation, such as a varistor, said protection component being able to be traversed by an electric discharge current when it is connected to the electrical installation, and secondly a suitable disconnection means, when it is activated, to disconnect said protection component of said electrical installation, characterized in that it comprises:
  • a step (a) acquisition during which acquires an I signal I representative of the intensity of said discharge current as a function of time t,
  • an analysis step (b) during which a treatment is applied to said signal I mes so as to be able to determine whether the discharge current is transient or temporary in nature,
  • a step (c) of selective activation during which the disconnection means is activated or not according to the nature of the discharge current determined during the analysis step (b).

D'autres particularités et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront plus en détails à la lecture de la description qui suit, ainsi qu'à l'aide des dessins annexés fournis à titre purement illustratif et non limitatif, parmi lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente un schéma électrique de raccordement à une installation électrique d'un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions conforme à l'invention.
  • La figure 2 illustre un schéma de principe fonctionnel d'un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions conforme à l'invention.
  • La figure 3 représente le schéma électrique d'une variante préférentielle de réalisation du moyen de déconnexion d'un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions conforme à l'invention.
  • La figure 4 représente le schéma électrique d'une seconde variante de réalisation du moyen de déconnexion d'un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions conforme à l'invention.
  • La figure 5a représente schématiquement deux courbes d'intensité du courant de décharge qui traverse un composant de protection d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention en fonction du temps, lesdites courbes correspondant respectivement à un phénomène de surtension transitoire et à un phénomène de surtension temporaire véhiculant une même énergie.
  • La figure 5b représente schématiquement le résultat d'un traitement de signal conforme à l'invention lorsque celui-ci est appliqué à un phénomène de surtension temporaire.
  • La figure 5c représente schématiquement le résultat d'un traitement de signal conforme à l'invention lorsque celui-ci est appliqué à un phénomène de surtension transitoire.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in more detail on reading the description which follows, and with the aid of the accompanying drawings provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting, among which:
  • the figure 1 represents a circuit diagram for connection to an electrical installation of an overvoltage protection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of an overvoltage protection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 3 represents the electrical diagram of a preferred embodiment of the means for disconnecting an overvoltage protection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 4 represents the circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the means for disconnecting an overvoltage protection device according to the invention.
  • The figure 5a schematically represents two curves of intensity of the discharge current which passes through a protection component of a device according to the invention as a function of time, said curves respectively corresponding to a transient overvoltage phenomenon and to a temporary overvoltage phenomenon conveying a same energy.
  • The figure 5b schematically represents the result of a signal processing according to the invention when it is applied to a temporary overvoltage phenomenon.
  • The figure 5c schematically represents the result of a signal processing according to the invention when it is applied to a transient overvoltage phenomenon.

Le dispositif de protection 1 contre les surtensions conforme à l'invention est destiné à être branché en dérivation sur l'équipement ou l'installation électrique 2 à protéger.The protection device 1 against overvoltages according to the invention is intended to be connected bypass on the equipment or the electrical installation 2 to be protected.

L'expression « installation électrique » fait référence à tout type d'appareil ou réseau alimenté électriquement et susceptible de subir des perturbations de tensions, notamment des surtensions transitoires dues à la foudre.The term " electrical installation " refers to any type of device or network powered electrically and susceptible to voltage disturbances, including transient overvoltages due to lightning.

Le dispositif de protection 1 peut donc avantageusement constituer un dispositif de protection contre les surtensions transitoires dues à la foudre, c'est-à-dire un « parafoudre ».The protective device 1 can therefore advantageously constitute a device for protection against transient overvoltages due to lightning, that is to say a "surge arrester ".

Le dispositif de protection 1 conforme à l'invention peut être disposé entre une phase de l'installation 2 à protéger et la terre, ou, sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'invention, entre le neutre et la terre, entre la phase et le neutre ou encore entre deux phases dans le cas d'une protection différentielle, tel que cela est illustré sur la figure 1.The protection device 1 according to the invention may be disposed between a phase of the installation 2 to be protected and earth, or, without departing from the scope of the invention, between the neutral and the earth, between the phase and neutral or between two phases in the case of differential protection, as illustrated in figure 1 .

Le dispositif de protection 1 conforme à l'invention comporte au moins un composant de protection 3, tel qu'une varistance, destiné à être raccordé à l'installation électrique à protéger 2 au niveau de moyens de raccordement électrique 4, 5.The protection device 1 according to the invention comprises at least one protection component 3, such as a varistor, intended to be connected to the electrical installation to be protected 2 at the level of electrical connection means 4, 5.

Dans la suite de la description, on considérera que chaque composant de protection 3 est formé par une varistance, étant entendu que l'utilisation d'une varistance n'est indiquée qu'à titre d'exemple préférentiel et ne constitue en aucune manière une limitation de l'invention.In the remainder of the description, it will be considered that each protection component 3 is formed by a varistor, it being understood that the use of a varistor is only indicated as a preferred example and in no way constitutes a limitation of the invention.

Lorsqu'il est raccordé à l'installation électrique 2, le composant de protection 3 est susceptible d'être traversé par un courant électrique de décharge I. When it is connected to the electrical installation 2, the protection component 3 can be traversed by an electric discharge current I.

Dans le cadre d'un fonctionnement normal du dispositif 1, et en l'absence de surtension, ledit courant électrique de décharge est faible voire sensiblement nul. Ce courant électrique de décharge est toutefois susceptible d'atteindre des valeurs élevées, notamment lorsque le composant de protection 3 écrête une surtension ou encore lorsque son impédance diminue du fait d'une dégradation provoquée par exemple par un vieillissement normal ou par l'application d'une surtension temporaire (TOV).In the context of normal operation of the device 1, and in the absence of overvoltage, said discharge electric current is low or substantially zero. This discharge electric current is, however, likely to reach high values, in particular when the protection component 3 is blocking an overvoltage or when its impedance is decreasing due to a deterioration caused for example by normal aging or by the application of a temporary overvoltage (TOV).

Le dispositif de protection 1 conforme à l'invention comporte également un moyen de déconnexion 6 apte, lorsqu'il est activé, à déconnecter le composant de protection 3 de l'installation électrique 2.The protective device 1 according to the invention also comprises a disconnection means 6 adapted, when activated, to disconnect the protection component 3 of the electrical installation 2.

Ledit moyen de déconnexion 6 est ainsi susceptible de passer d'une configuration désactivée, dans laquelle il autorise la liaison électrique du composant 3 à l'installation 2, à une configuration activée dans laquelle il interrompt ladite liaison électrique.Said disconnection means 6 is thus capable of passing from a deactivated configuration, in which it allows the electrical connection of the component 3 to the installation 2, to an activated configuration in which it interrupts said electrical connection.

Le moyen de déconnexion 6 pourra avantageusement comporter un élément de contact 7 mobile entre une position de fermeture dans laquelle la varistance 3 est reliée électriquement à l'installation 2 et une position d'ouverture dans laquelle ladite varistance 3 est isolée électriquement de ladite installation 2.The disconnection means 6 may advantageously comprise a contact element 7 movable between a closed position in which the varistor 3 is electrically connected to the installation 2 and an open position in which said varistor 3 is electrically isolated from said installation 2 .

Le moyen de déconnexion 6 peut comporter également un moyen d'actionnement 8 apte à piloter le passage du moyen de contact 7 de sa position de fermeture vers sa position d'ouverture, et/ou inversement, de sa position d'ouverture vers sa position de fermeture.The disconnecting means 6 may also comprise an actuating means 8 adapted to control the passage of the contact means 7 from its closed position to its open position, and / or vice versa, from its open position to its position. closure.

Le moyen d'actionnement 8 peut par exemple être formé par un actionneur électromécanique apte à entraîner l'élément de contact 7 par le biais d'une liaison mécanique tel qu'une tringle ou une bielle. Toutefois, selon une variante préférentielle de réalisation, l'élément de contact 7 se trouve précontraint vers sa position d'ouverture à l'aide d'un moyen de rappel, tel qu'un ressort, et est maintenu en position de fermeture par un moyen de retenue faisant obstacle à son déplacement, le moyen d'actionnement 8 étant apte à manoeuvrer en retrait ledit moyen de retenue de manière à libérer le mouvement de l'élément de contact 7.The actuating means 8 may for example be formed by an electromechanical actuator adapted to drive the contact element 7 by means of a mechanical connection such as a rod or a connecting rod. However, according to a preferred embodiment, the contact element 7 is prestressed towards its open position by means of a return means, such as a spring, and is held in the closed position by a retaining means hindering its movement, the actuating means 8 being able to move said retaining means back in such a manner as to release the movement of the contact element 7.

Selon une caractéristique importante de l'invention, le dispositif de protection 1 comprend en outre un moyen d'acquisition 10 apte à fournir un signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité du courant de décharge qui traverse le composant de protection 3 en fonction du temps t. En d'autres termes, le moyen d'acquisition 10 permettra de mesurer ou d'évaluer une ou plusieurs grandeurs caractéristiques du courant électrique qui circule dans la varistance 3, notamment l'intensité dudit courant en fonction du temps, en traduisant ces grandeurs caractéristiques sous forme d'un signal image porteur des informations nécessaires à leur évaluation.According to an important feature of the invention, the protection device 1 further comprises an acquiring means 10 adapted to provide a I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current through the protection component 3 in function of time t . In other words, the acquisition means 10 will make it possible to measure or evaluate one or more characteristic quantities of the electric current flowing in the varistor 3, in particular the intensity of said current as a function of time, by translating these characteristic quantities. in the form of an image signal carrying the information necessary for their evaluation.

Avantageusement, l'acquisition et l'exploitation d'une information portant sur l'intensité du courant électrique de décharge qui traverse le composant de protection 3 permet de surveiller directement les causes d'un échauffement dudit composant de protection 3. Ainsi, il est possible de diagnostiquer une défaillance de ce dernier en détectant les symptômes immédiats d'un dysfonctionnement (énergie électrique absorbée), soit bien plus rapidement qu'avec des moyens d'évaluation thermique qui surveillent les effets de la conversion de l'énergie électrique en énergie thermique, c'est-à-dire qui exploitent une manifestation secondaire et tardive du phénomène.Advantageously, the acquisition and exploitation of information relating to the intensity of the discharge electric current that passes through the protection component 3 makes it possible to directly monitor the causes of a heating of said protection component 3. Thus, it is possible to diagnose a failure of the latter by detecting the immediate symptoms of a malfunction (electrical energy absorbed), much faster than with thermal evaluation means that monitor the effects of the conversion of electrical energy into energy thermal, that is, exploiting a secondary and late manifestation of the phenomenon.

Selon une variante de réalisation préférentielle, le moyen d'acquisition 10 comportera un capteur de type inductif 11. Au besoin, le moyen d'acquisition 10 pourra également comprendre un filtre et/ou un moyen amplificateur et/ou un moyen convertisseur.According to a preferred embodiment, the acquisition means 10 will include an inductive type sensor 11. If necessary, the acquisition means 10 may also include a filter and / or an amplifier means and / or a converter means.

Selon une caractéristique importante de l'invention, le dispositif de protection 1 comprend également un moyen d'analyse 12 permettant d'appliquer un traitement au signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité du courant de décharge de manière à pouvoir déterminer la nature dudit courant de décharge.According to an important feature of the invention, the protective device 1 also comprises an analyzing means 12 for applying a processing to the I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current so as to determine the nature of said stream discharge.

Selon une variante de réalisation préférentielle, le moyen d'analyse 12 est notamment apte à déterminer si le composant de protection 3 est, ou a été, traversé par un courant de décharge de nature transitoire ou par un courant de décharge de nature plus durable, notamment temporaire.According to a preferred embodiment, the analysis means 12 is particularly suitable for determining whether the protective component 3 is or has been traversed by a discharge current of a transient nature or by a discharge current of a more durable nature, especially temporary.

Ainsi, le moyen d'analyse 12 conforme à l'invention permet de discriminer les courants de décharge, en identifiant si leur durée caractéristique correspond à celle d'un phénomène transitoire ou à celle d'un phénomène temporaire.Thus, the analysis means 12 according to the invention makes it possible to discriminate the discharge currents, by identifying whether their characteristic duration corresponds to that of a transient phenomenon or to that of a temporary phenomenon.

Selon une autre caractéristique importante de l'invention, le dispositif de protection 1 comprend en outre un moyen d'activation sélectif 14 apte à activer ou non le moyen de déconnexion 6 en fonction de la nature du courant de décharge qui a été déterminée par le moyen d'analyse 12.According to another important characteristic of the invention, the protection device 1 further comprises a selective activation means 14 able to activate or not the disconnection means 6 depending on the nature of the discharge current which has been determined by the means of analysis 12.

Selon une variante de réalisation préférentielle, le moyen d'activation sélective 14 n'active pas le moyen de déconnexion 6 lorsque le moyen d'analyse 12 détermine que le courant de décharge est de nature transitoire.According to a preferred embodiment, the selective activation means 14 does not activate the disconnection means 6 when the analysis means 12 determines that the discharge current is transient in nature.

En effet, la tenue électrique, thermique et mécanique du composant de protection 3 dépend non seulement de la quantité d'énergie électrique qui lui est fournie mais également de la durée nécessaire à l'administration de cette énergie. Ainsi, une même quantité d'énergie électrique, selon qu'elle sera véhiculée par un phénomène transitoire tel qu'une surtension due à la foudre ou par un phénomène plus durable tel qu'une surtension temporaire (TOV) sera dans le premier cas susceptible d'être écoulée sans dommage par le composant de protection 3, tandis qu'elle aura un effet destructeur irréversible sur ledit composant 3 dans le second cas.Indeed, the electrical, thermal and mechanical strength of the protective component 3 depends not only on the amount of electrical energy that it is provided but also the time required for the administration of this energy. Thus, the same amount of electrical energy, depending on whether it will be conveyed by a transient phenomenon such as an overvoltage due to lightning or by a more durable phenomenon such as a temporary overvoltage (TOV) will be in the first case likely to be passed without damage by the protection component 3, while it will have an irreversible destructive effect on said component 3 in the second case.

Avantageusement, le dispositif conforme à l'invention est donc apte à reconnaître divers types de courants de décharge et capable d'adapter son comportement, et plus précisément l'activation du moyen de déconnexion, en fonction de la distinction qu'il opère entre lesdits types de courants de décharge.Advantageously, the device according to the invention is therefore able to recognize various types of discharge currents and capable of adapting its behavior, and more specifically the activation of the disconnection means, depending on the distinction that it makes between said types of discharge currents.

Selon un premier mode de réalisation préférentiel, illustré notamment sur la figure 3, le moyen d'analyse 12 est conçu pour effectuer un bornage supérieur du signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité du courant de décharge, la valeur dudit signal ne pouvant alors excéder un maximum prédéfini noté Isup.According to a first preferred embodiment, illustrated in particular on the figure 3 , The analyzing means 12 is adapted to perform an upper boundary of the I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current, the value of said signal can not then exceed a predefined maximum rated I u.

Ainsi que cela est illustré sur la figure 5c, on majore la valeur du signal Imes par une valeur maximale Isup de préférence choisie sensiblement inférieure à l'intensité de pic correspondant à un courant de décharge admissible provoqué par une surtension due à la foudre.As this is illustrated on the figure 5c , the value of the signal I mes is increased by a maximum value I sup preferably chosen substantially less than the peak intensity corresponding to a permissible discharge current caused by an overvoltage due to lightning.

A cet effet, le moyen d'acquisition 10 fournit de préférence le signal Imes de l'intensité du courant qui traverse le composant de protection 3 sous la forme d'une tension électrique Umes tandis que le moyen d'analyse 12 comprend un élément limiteur de tension, tel qu'une varistance d'écrêtage 15, afin d'empêcher la valeur de ladite tension Umes de dépasser une valeur maximale prédéterminée.For this purpose, the acquisition means 10 preferably provides the signal I mes of the intensity of the current which passes through the protection component 3 in the form of a voltage U mes while the analysis means 12 comprises a voltage limiting element, such as a clipping varistor 15, to prevent the value of said voltage U mes from exceeding a predetermined maximum value.

Plus précisément, ainsi que cela est illustré sur la figure 3, le moyen d'acquisition 12 peut associer, en parallèle, un capteur inductif 11 à une varistance d'écrêtage 15 de manière à ce que, quelle que soit l'intensité réelle du courant de décharge traversant le composant de protection 3, en particulier lors de pics dus à des décharges de foudre, son image Umes soit majorée par la tension d'écrêtage de ladite varistance 15.More specifically, as illustrated in the figure 3 , the acquisition means 12 can associate, in parallel, an inductive sensor 11 with a clipping varistor 15 so that, whatever the actual intensity of the discharge current flowing through the protection component 3, in particular during peaks due to lightning discharges, its image U mes is increased by the clipping voltage of said varistor 15.

Toujours selon ce premier mode de réalisation préférentiel, le moyen d'analyse 12 est conçu pour déterminer une valeur Emes représentative de l'énergie électrique reçue par le composant de protection et le moyen d'activation 14 est agencé pour activer le moyen de déconnexion 6 lorsque ladite valeur Emes représentative de l'énergie reçue par le composant de protection 3 atteint ou dépasse une valeur prédéterminée Eseuil.Always according to this first preferred embodiment, the analyzing means 12 is adapted to determine a representative my E value of the electrical energy received by the protective component and the activation means 14 is arranged to activate the disconnecting means 6 when said value E mes representative of the energy received by the protection component 3 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value E threshold .

De préférence, on choisira la valeur prédéterminée Eseuil comme étant sensiblement égale à l'énergie maximale admissible par le composant de protection 3, telle qu'elle figure dans les données fournies par le constructeur dudit composant de protection 3.Preferably, the predetermined value E threshold will be chosen to be substantially equal to the maximum energy allowed by the protection component 3, as it appears in the data supplied by the manufacturer of said protection component 3.

De façon particulièrement préférentielle, le moyen d'analyse 12 calcule la valeur Emes représentative de l'énergie reçue par le composant de protection 3 en intégrant le signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité du courant de décharge en fonction du temps t.Particularly preferably, the analyzing means 12 calculates the value E my representative of the energy received by the protective component 3 by integrating the I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current as a function of time t.

Les figures 5a, 5b et 5c schématisent graphiquement le principe de fonctionnement de ce premier mode de réalisation et permettent d'en percevoir immédiatement l'intérêt.The Figures 5a, 5b and 5c graphically schematically the operating principle of this first embodiment and allow to immediately perceive the interest.

Sur la figure 5a, on a représenté, sur un même graphique dont l'axe des ordonnées correspond à l'intensité du courant de décharge et dont l'axe des abscisses correspond au temps t, une première courbe CF représentative d'un courant de décharge provoqué par une surtension transitoire due à la foudre et une seconde courbe CTOV représentative d'un courant de décharge provoqué par une surtension temporaire, plus durable que la surtension due à la foudre.On the figure 5a , it is shown, on a same graph whose ordinate axis corresponds to the intensity of the discharge current and whose abscissa axis corresponds to time t, a first representative curve C F a discharge current caused by a transient overvoltage due to lightning and a second curve C TOV representative of a discharge current caused by a temporary overvoltage, more durable than the overvoltage due to lightning.

En particulier, on constate que la courbe de décharge de foudre CF est caractérisée par l'intensité de son pic IPIC et par sa durée tF, laquelle correspond à la durée d'un phénomène transitoire.In particular, it can be seen that the lightning discharge curve C F is characterized by the intensity of its peak I PIC and by its duration t F , which corresponds to the duration of a transient phenomenon.

La première courbe CF et la seconde courbe CTOV délimitent respectivement, par rapport à l'axe des abscisses, une première aire AF et une seconde aire ATOV. Lesdites aires correspondent mathématiquement à l'intégrale desdites courbes d'intensité en fonction du temps, c'est-à-dire physiquement à des valeurs représentatives des énergies respectivement reçues par le composant de protection 3.The first curve C F and the second curve C TOV respectively delimit, with respect to the abscissa axis, a first area A F and a second area A TOV. Said areas correspond mathematically to the integral of said intensity curves as a function of time, that is to say physically to values representative of the energies respectively received by the protection component 3.

Dans cet exemple, on considère que la première aire AF correspond sensiblement à l'énergie maximale Eseuil admissible par le composant de protection 3 et que la superficie de la seconde aire ATOV est égale à celle de la première aire AF, ce qui signifie que la même énergie Eseuil est fournie dans les deux cas au composant de protection 3. Toutefois, rappelons que si cette énergie peut être dissipée sensiblement sans dommage dans le cas de la première courbe CF, elle traduit en revanche un phénomène destructeur dans le cas de la seconde courbe CTOV.In this example, it is considered that the first area A F substantially corresponds to the maximum energy E threshold allowed by the protection component 3 and that the area of the second area A TOV is equal to that of the first area A F , this which means that the same energy E threshold is provided in both cases to the protection component 3. However, remember that if this energy can be dissipated substantially without damage in the case of the first curve C F , it in turn reflects a destructive phenomenon in the case of the second curve C TOV .

Sur les figures 5b et 5c, on a représenté, sous forme d'un rectangle, la fenêtre d'intégration mise en oeuvre par le moyen d'analyse 12. Celle-ci est délimitée selon l'axe des ordonnées par la valeur Isup de bornage de l'intensité Imes, et selon l'axe des abscisses par une durée d'intégration choisie tI.On the Figures 5b and 5c the integration window implemented by the analysis means 12 is represented in the form of a rectangle. The integrating window is delimited along the ordinate axis by the intensity value I sup of the intensity I mes , and along the abscissa axis by a chosen integration time t I.

Sur la figure 5b, on constate que ledit rectangle contient la totalité de la deuxième courbe CTOV, et par conséquent englobe la seconde aire ATOV. Plus précisément, l'intersection du rectangle et de la seconde aire ATOV coïncide avec ladite seconde aire ATOV et présente une superficie égale à cette dernière. En d'autres termes, le résultat de l'intégration de la deuxième courbe CTOV fourni par le moyen d'analyse 12, noté A'TOV et représenté par la zone hachurée, est égal à ATOV, c'est-à-dire que Emes atteint Eseuil, ce qui provoque l'activation du moyen de déconnexion 6.On the figure 5b it is found that said rectangle contains all of the second curve C TOV , and therefore encompasses the second area A TOV . More precisely, the intersection of the rectangle and the second area A TOV coincides with said second area A TOV and has an area equal to the latter area. In other words, the result of the integration of the second curve C TOV supplied by the analysis means 12, denoted A ' TOV and represented by the shaded area, is equal to A TOV , that is to say that my E E reaches threshold, which causes the activation of the disconnecting means 6.

Sur la figure 5c, on constate en revanche que le bornage du signal Imes, induit par l'application de la même fenêtre d'intégration, conduit à une troncature de la première courbe CF. Graphiquement, l'intersection du rectangle avec la première aire AF présente une superficie moins étendue que celle de ladite première aire AF. Ainsi, le résultat de l'intégration de la première courbe CF fourni par le moyen d'analyse 12, noté A'F et représenté par la zone hachurée, sera sensiblement inférieur à AF et par conséquent la valeur calculée Emes représentative de l'énergie restera en deçà de la valeur d'énergie admissible Eseuil, si bien que le moyen d'activation 14 n'activera pas le moyen de déconnexion 6. En d'autres termes, un phénomène transitoire, quelle que soit son amplitude, ne durera pas suffisamment longtemps pour permettre à Emes d'atteindre la valeur critique Eseuil.On the figure 5c on the other hand, it is found that the demarcation of the I mes signal, induced by the application of the same integration window, leads to a truncation of the first curve C F. Graphically, the intersection of the rectangle with the first area A F has a smaller area than that of said first area A F. Thus, the result of the integration of the first curve C F provided by the analysis means 12, noted A ' F and represented by the shaded area, will be substantially less than A F and therefore the calculated value E my representative of the energy will remain below the admissible energy value E threshold , so that the activation means 14 will not activate the disconnecting means 6. In other words, a transient phenomenon, regardless of its amplitude will not last long enough to allow E mes to reach the critical value E threshold .

Ainsi, lorsque la valeur Emes représentative de l'énergie électrique reçue par le composant de protection 3 atteint ou dépasse la valeur maximale admissible Eseuil, le fait de savoir que le signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité du courant de décharge est majoré permet de conclure que la durée de ladite décharge a nécessairement été supérieure à celle d'un phénomène transitoire dû à la foudre.Thus, when the value E my representative of the electrical energy received by the protective component 3 reaches or exceeds the maximum value E th, the knowledge that the I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current is increased it can be concluded that the duration of said discharge has necessarily been greater than that of a transient phenomenon due to lightning.

Il est remarquable que le principe de fonctionnement décrit ci-dessus reste applicable dans le cas où la seconde courbe CTOV dépasse Isup et/ou tI, c'est-à-dire, graphiquement, lorsque ATOV « déborde » du rectangle.It is remarkable that the operating principle described above remains applicable in the case where the second curve C TOV exceeds I sup and / or t I , that is to say, graphically, when A TOV "overflows" of the rectangle .

Bien entendu, le bornage du signal représentatif de l'intensité du courant de décharge tel que décrit ci-dessus et l'exploitation par intégration du signal ainsi borné ne sont pas limités à la mise en oeuvre d'une distinction entre surtensions de nature transitoire et surtensions de nature temporaire, mais peuvent également être mis en oeuvre indépendamment en tant que tels, notamment au sein d'un moyen d'analyse 12 destiné à diagnostiquer une quelconque durée caractéristique d'administration à un composant de protection d'une quantité d'énergie prédéterminée.Of course, the limitation of the signal representative of the intensity of the discharge current as described above and the integration operation of the signal thus bounded are not limited to the implementation of a distinction between transient overvoltages. and overvoltages of a temporary nature, but can also be implemented independently as such, in particular in an analysis means 12 intended to diagnose any characteristic duration of administration to a protection component of a quantity of predetermined energy.

Ainsi que cela est illustré sur la figure 3, le moyen d'analyse 12 peut avantageusement comporter un composant intégrateur tel qu'un condensateur C1. Le condensateur est en effet un moyen simple et bon marché de corréler l'intensité au temps car la tension Uc à ses bornes correspond à une intégration de l'intensité du courant mis en oeuvre lors de cycles de charge et/ou de décharge.As this is illustrated on the figure 3 the analysis means 12 may advantageously comprise an integrating component such as a capacitor C 1 . The capacitor is indeed a simple and inexpensive means of correlating the intensity to time because the voltage U c at its terminals corresponds to an integration of the intensity of the current implemented during charging and / or discharging cycles.

De façon particulièrement avantageuse, le circuit illustré à la figure 3 comporte des résistances de charge R1, R2 qui permettent d'ajuster les constantes de temps caractéristiques du circuit de charge/décharge du condensateur C1. En d'autres termes, le moyen d'analyse 12 comporte de préférence au moins un élément permettant le réglage de la durée d'intégration tI du signal Imes, tel qu'un ou plusieurs composants résistifs R1, R2.In a particularly advantageous manner, the circuit illustrated in FIG. figure 3 comprises load resistors R 1 , R 2 which make it possible to adjust the characteristic time constants of the charge / discharge circuit of the capacitor C 1 . In other words, the analysis means 12 preferably comprises at least one element for adjusting the integration duration t I of the I mes signal, such as one or more resistive components R 1 , R 2 .

En pratique, on choisira le temps d'intégration tl de telle sorte que celui-ci soit compatible d'une part avec une fonction de discrimination des phénomènes transitoires et d'autre part avec un temps de réponse du dispositif 1 qui soit suffisamment court pour garantir que la déconnexion intervienne avant un échauffement dangereux du composant de protection 3 sous l'effet de TOV.In practice, the integration time t 1 will be chosen so that it is compatible on the one hand with a transient discrimination function and on the other hand with a response time of device 1 which is sufficiently short to ensure that the disconnection occurs before a dangerous heating of the protection component 3 under the effect of TOV.

Plus particulièrement, on choisira de préférence ledit temps d'intégration tl égal ou strictement supérieur à la durée tF caractéristique des phénomènes transitoires attendus, et inférieur ou égal à une durée arbitraire caractéristiques des TOV, par exemple prise dans la plage basse de durée des TOV.More particularly, the integration time t i equal to or strictly greater than the duration t F characteristic of the expected transient phenomena, and less than or equal to an arbitrary duration characteristic of the TOVs, for example taken in the low range of duration, will preferably be chosen. TOV.

En d'autres termes, le temps d'intégration choisi sera de préférence situé sensiblement à la frontière entre phénomènes transitoires et phénomènes temporaires.In other words, the integration time chosen will preferably be located substantially at the boundary between transient phenomena and temporary phenomena.

Par convention, on pourra par exemple choisir ledit temps d'intégration tl comme sensiblement égal à deux fois la durée de descente à mi-hauteur d'une onde de choc normalisée.By convention, it is possible, for example, to choose said integration time t 1 as substantially equal to twice the half-time descent time of a normalized shock wave.

Ainsi, le temps d'intégration tI sera de préférence sensiblement compris entre 400 µs (microsecondes) et 5 ms (millisecondes), et de façon particulièrement préférentiel entre 500 µs (microsecondes) et 1 ms (milliseconde).Thus, the integration time t I will preferably be substantially between 400 μs (microseconds) and 5 ms (milliseconds), and particularly preferably between 500 μs (microseconds) and 1 ms (millisecond).

De façon préférentielle, le moyen d'activation sélectif 14 comporte un élément permettant le réglage de la valeur prédéterminée Eseuil. Dans l'exemple particulier illustré à la figure 3, ce réglage est effectué par un montage potentiométrique R4, R5 permettant de définir une tension de référence Useuil.Preferably, the selective activation means 14 comprises an element allowing the setting of the predetermined value E threshold . In the particular example illustrated in figure 3 this adjustment is made by a potentiometric circuit R 4 , R 5 for defining a reference voltage U threshold .

Plus généralement, il est envisageable que les paramètres régissant le fonctionnement du dispositif 1 et plus particulièrement la gestion du moyen de déconnexion 6, notamment Eseuil, Isup et tI, soient déterminés de façon définitive par construction. Il est toutefois parfaitement possible de prévoir des moyens de réglage, voire de programmation, permettant un ajustement de ces paramètres aux conditions d'utilisation, par exemple par un technicien chargé de l'installation du dispositif 1.More generally, it is conceivable that the parameters governing the operation of the device 1 and more particularly the management of the medium 6, in particular E threshold , I sup and t I , are definitively determined by construction. It is however perfectly possible to provide adjustment means or programming, allowing adjustment of these parameters to the conditions of use, for example by a technician responsible for the installation of the device 1.

En outre, le moyen d'activation sélectif 14 comporte de préférence un élément comparateur apte à comparer la valeur Emes représentative de l'énergie électrique reçue par le composant de protection à la valeur prédéterminée Eseuil. Sur la variante de réalisation préférentielle illustrée à la figure 3, le moyen d'activation sélectif 14 comporte à cet effet un comparateur à hystérésis utilisant un amplificateur opérationnel 17.In addition, the selective activation means 14 preferably comprises a comparator element capable of comparing the value E my representative of the electrical energy received by the protective component at a predetermined value E th. On the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. figure 3 , the selective activation means 14 comprises for this purpose a hysteresis comparator using an operational amplifier 17.

Le fonctionnement de la variante de réalisation préférentielle illustrée à la figure 3 va maintenant être brièvement décrit.The operation of the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. figure 3 will now be briefly described.

Lorsque l'élément de contact 7 est en position de fermeture, la varistance 3 est reliée électriquement à l'installation 2 à protéger.When the contact element 7 is in the closed position, the varistor 3 is electrically connected to the installation 2 to be protected.

La varistance 3 est donc susceptible d'être traversée par un courant électrique de décharge I. Plus particulièrement, ledit courant de décharge peut correspondre par exemple à un courant de fuite, plus ou moins important en fonction de l'état de ladite varistance 3, ou encore à un courant lié à l'écrêtage d'une surtension appliquée entre les bornes de raccordement 4, 5.The varistor 3 is therefore likely to be traversed by an electric discharge current I. More particularly, said discharge current may correspond for example to a leakage current, more or less important depending on the state of said varistor 3, or at a current related to the clipping of an overvoltage applied between the connection terminals 4, 5.

Le capteur 11 fournit une image de ce courant de décharge sous la forme d'une tension Umes, laquelle est bornée par la varistance d'écrêtage 15. La tension ainsi bornée est ensuite redressée par un moyen redresseur 16, par exemple formée par une ou plusieurs diodes, et est susceptible de contribuer à la charge progressive du condensateur C1 à travers la résistance de charge R1. La charge du condensateur C1 fait apparaître et croître une tension Uc aux bornes de celui-ci.The sensor 11 provides an image of this discharge current in the form of a voltage U mes , which is bounded by the clipping varistor 15. The voltage thus bounded is then rectified by a rectifying means 16, for example formed by a or more diodes, and is likely to contribute to the progressive charging of the capacitor C 1 through the load resistance R1. The charge of the capacitor C1 makes it appear and grow a voltage U c across it.

La tension Uc est appliquée à l'entrée non inverseuse d'un amplificateur opérationnel 17 qui fonctionne en régime saturé et compare la tension Uc aux bornes du condensateur C1, laquelle correspond à la valeur Emes, avec une tension de référence Useuil, qui correspond à la valeur Eseuil.The voltage U c is applied to the non-inverting input of an operational amplifier 17 which operates in a saturated state and compares the voltage U c across the capacitor C 1 , which corresponds to the value E mes , with a reference voltage U threshold , which corresponds to the threshold value E.

Le signe du signal Us de sortie de l'amplificateur opérationnel 17 dépend du résultat de ladite comparaison. En particulier, lorsque Uc atteint ou dépasse Useuil, la tension de sortie de l'amplificateur opérationnel Us change de signe.The sign of the output signal U s of the operational amplifier 17 depends on the result of said comparison. In particular, when U c reaches or exceeds a threshold , the output voltage of the operational amplifier U s changes sign.

Ce basculement permet alors de commander l'activation de l'actionneur 8 et par conséquent l'ouverture de l'élément de contact 7 qui conduit à l'isolation de la varistance 3.This switching then makes it possible to control the activation of the actuator 8 and consequently the opening of the contact element 7 which leads to the isolation of the varistor 3.

Selon une variante de réalisation illustrée sur la figure 4, il est possible d'adjoindre au moyen d'acquisition 10 et au moyen d'analyse 12 un circuit supplémentaire de surveillance de la température θ du composant de protection 3.According to an embodiment variant illustrated on the figure 4 it is possible to add to the acquisition means 10 and to the analysis means 12 an additional circuit for monitoring the temperature θ of the protection component 3.

Celui-ci comprend un capteur thermosensible 18, tel qu'un thermocouple, capable de mesurer les effets de la conversion de l'énergie électrique reçue par ledit composant de protection 3 en énergie thermique.It comprises a thermosensitive sensor 18, such as a thermocouple, capable of measuring the effects of the conversion of the electrical energy received by said protection component 3 into thermal energy.

De façon avantageuse, les différents moyens de détection pourront être reliés au même moyen de déconnexion 6 commun, par exemple à l'aide d'un moyen de comparaison utilisant une fonction booléenne de type « OU ». Ainsi, l'activation du moyen de déconnexion pourra être opérée soit en cas d'échauffement de la varistance 3, soit en cas d'apparition d'un courant jugé dangereux, soit lors d'une combinaison de ces deux cas.Advantageously, the different detection means may be connected to the same common disconnection means 6, for example using a comparison means using a Boolean function of type "OR". Thus, the activation of the disconnection means may be operated either in case of heating of the varistor 3, or in case of occurrence of a current deemed dangerous, or in a combination of these two cases.

Bien entendu, le dispositif 1 pourra mettre en oeuvre, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention, des moyens analogiques, numériques, ou combinant ces deux technologies, notamment pour réaliser les fonctions d'acquisition, d'analyse, d'activation, de réglage ou de programmation.Of course, the device 1 can implement, without departing from the scope of the invention, analog, digital, or combining these two technologies, in particular to perform the functions of acquisition, analysis, activation, setting or programming.

Selon une variante de réalisation, le moyen de déconnexion 6 peut être agencé de telle sorte que, lors de son activation, il opère une déconnexion réversible du composant de protection 3.According to an alternative embodiment, the disconnection means 6 can be arranged in such a way that, when it is activated, it operates a reversible disconnection of the protection component 3.

Une telle disposition pourrait avantageusement être mise en oeuvre au sein d'un dispositif 1 de conception modulaire, susceptible d'être réarmé après remplacement du composant de protection 3 défectueux. En particulier, l'utilisation d'une embase contenant les moyens d'acquisition 10, d'analyse 12, d'activation 14 et de déconnexion 6 sur laquelle pourraient venir se fixer une ou plusieurs cartouches contenant un ou plusieurs composant de protection 3 permettrait d'éviter d'avoir à remplacer l'ensemble du dispositif 1 trop fréquemment.Such an arrangement could advantageously be implemented within a device 1 of modular design, capable of being rearmed after replacement of the defective protection component 3. In particular, the use of a base containing the acquisition means 10, analysis 12, activation 14 and disconnection 6 on which could be fixed one or more cartridges containing one or more protection component 3 would avoid having to replace the entire device 1 too frequently.

Selon une variante de réalisation préférentielle, la réversibilité de la déconnexion peut avantageusement être mise en oeuvre automatiquement pour permettre au dispositif 1 d'assurer la préservation du composant de protection 3. Plus précisément, il est ainsi envisageable de déconnecter ce dernier en cas d'exposition à des conditions de fonctionnement susceptibles de provoquer sa dégradation prématurée, notamment en cas de TOV, puis de reconnecter ledit composant de protection à l'installation afin de garantir la continuité de la protection contre les surtensions transitoires.According to a preferred embodiment, the reversibility of the disconnection can advantageously be implemented automatically to allow the device 1 to ensure the preservation of the protection component 3. More precisely, it is thus possible to disconnect the latter in case of exposure to operating conditions likely to cause its premature degradation, in particular in the case of TOV, then to reconnect said protection component to the installation in order to guarantee the continuity of the protection against transient overvoltages.

Selon cette variante, le dispositif 1 comprend de préférence un moyen de réarmement automatique conçu pour provoquer la re-connexion du composant de protection 3. De préférence, ledit moyen de réarmement coopère avec le moyen de déconnexion 6 pour rétablir la connexion en rappelant l'élément de contact 7 de sa position d'ouverture à sa position de fermeture.According to this variant, the device 1 preferably comprises an automatic resetting means designed to cause the re-connection of the protection component 3 to be re-connected. Preferably, said resetting means cooperates with the disconnection means 6 to re-establish the connection by recalling the contact element 7 from its open position to its closed position.

Plus précisément, le moyen d'actionnement 8 peut être formé par un relais dont le changement d'état - réversible - est commandé par le changement de signe du comparateur à hystérésis 17. Le rétablissement de la connexion peut alors intervenir lorsque le condensateur C1 s'est suffisamment déchargé.More specifically, the actuating means 8 may be formed by a relay whose reversing state change is controlled by the change of sign of the hysteresis comparator 17. The restoration of the connection can then take place when the capacitor C1 'is sufficiently discharged.

Selon une variante de réalisation non représentée, le dispositif 1 comprend un moyen de maintien hors-service conçu pour empêcher la re-connexion du composant de protection 3 par le moyen de réarmement automatique tant que la tension aux bornes du dispositif 1, à l'origine de la déconnexion du composant de protection 3, conserve un niveau supérieur à une tension de sécurité prédéterminée.According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the device 1 comprises an off-service holding means designed to prevent re-connection of the protection component 3 by the automatic resetting means as long as the voltage across the device 1, the origin of the disconnection of the protection component 3, maintains a level higher than a predetermined safety voltage.

Ainsi, on peut notamment éviter, lorsqu'une surtension temporaire se prolonge sur plusieurs secondes, tout phénomène d'oscillation rapide lié à des alternances rapprochées entre état de connexion et état de déconnexion, un tel phénomène étant en effet susceptible de provoquer une usure prématurée du moyen d'actionnement 8 et/ou de l'élément de contact 7.Thus, it is especially possible to avoid, when a temporary overvoltage is prolonged for several seconds, any phenomenon of rapid oscillation related to close alternations between the state of connection and the state of disconnection, such a phenomenon being indeed likely to cause premature wear. the actuating means 8 and / or the contact element 7.

A cet effet, le dispositif 1 peut par exemple comporter un organe de mesure de tension relié aux moyens de raccordement électrique 4, 5, ainsi qu'un circuit comparateur apte à comparer la tension aux bornes du dispositif 1 à une valeur seuil de sécurité et à fournir un signal de sortie, par exemple à une porte logique, qui conditionne, et notamment qui suspend, la restauration de la connexion par le moyen de réarmement.For this purpose, the device 1 may for example comprise a voltage measuring member connected to the electrical connection means 4, 5, and a comparator circuit capable of comparing the voltage across the device 1 to a safety threshold value and to provide an output signal, for example to a logic gate, which conditions, and in particular which suspends, the restoration of the connection by the resetting means.

Ainsi, le dispositif conforme à l'invention peut procéder à une suspension (ou interruption) provisoire de service, pendant laquelle il laisse une surtension temporaire affecter l'installation, puis à une reprise active de la protection. En d'autres termes, le dispositif 1 peut avantageusement constituer un moyen de protection exclusif contre les surtensions transitoires.Thus, the device according to the invention can proceed to a temporary suspension (or interruption) of service, during which it allows a temporary overvoltage affect the installation, then an active recovery of the protection. In other words, the device 1 may advantageously constitute an exclusive means of protection against transient overvoltages.

Enfin, il est également envisageable de compléter le dispositif 1 conforme à l'invention par un ou plusieurs moyens de déconnexion thermiques passifs, notamment exclusivement thermomécaniques, tels que ceux employant une soudure fusible retenant un élément de contact de type lame ressort précontraint vers sa position d'ouverture. Cette redondance de moyens de déconnexion permet avantageusement de disposer, en cas de défaillance inopinée des moyens d'acquisition, d'analyse ou de déconnexion conformes à l'invention, d'une solution de secours permettant isoler, même tardivement, le composant de protection en cas d'échauffement excessif de ce dernier.Finally, it is also conceivable to complete the device 1 according to the invention by one or more passive thermal disconnection means, in particular exclusively thermomechanical, such as those employing a fusible solder holding a prestressed spring leaf-type contact element to its position. opening. This redundancy of the disconnection means advantageously makes it possible, in the event of an unexpected failure of the acquisition, analysis or disconnection means according to the invention, to provide an emergency solution enabling the protection component to be isolated, even if late. in case of excessive heating of the latter.

Un procédé de surveillance conforme à l'invention va maintenant être décrit.A monitoring method according to the invention will now be described.

Selon l'invention, ledit procédé de surveillance d'un dispositif de protection 1 d'une installation électrique 2 contre les surtensions comportant d'une part au moins un composant de protection 3 destiné à être raccordé à ladite installation électrique 2 telle qu'une varistance, ledit composant de protection 3 étant susceptible d'être traversé par un courant électrique de décharge lorsqu'il est raccordé à l'installation électrique 2, et d'autre part un moyen de déconnexion 6 apte, lorsqu'il est activé, à déconnecter ledit composant de protection 3 de ladite installation électrique 2, comporte :

  • une étape (a) d'acquisition au cours de laquelle on acquiert un signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité dudit courant de décharge en fonction du temps t,
  • une étape (b) d'analyse au cours de laquelle on applique un traitement audit signal Imes de manière à pouvoir déterminer si le courant de décharge est de nature transitoire ou temporaire,
  • une étape (c) d'activation sélective au cours de laquelle on active ou non le moyen de déconnexion 6 en fonction de la nature du courant de décharge déterminée lors de l'étape (b) d'analyse.
According to the invention, said method of monitoring a protection device 1 of an electrical installation 2 against overvoltages comprising on the one hand at least one protection component 3 intended to be connected to said electrical installation 2 such that a varistor, said protection component 3 being able to be traversed by an electric discharge current when connected to the electrical installation 2, and secondly a disconnection means 6 adapted, when activated, to disconnecting said protection component 3 from said electrical installation 2, comprises:
  • a step (a) acquisition during which acquires an I signal I representative of the intensity of said discharge current as a function of time t,
  • an analysis step (b) during which a treatment is applied to said signal I mes so as to be able to determine whether the discharge current is transient or temporary in nature,
  • a selective activation step (c) during which the disconnection means 6 is activated or not depending on the nature of the discharge current determined during the analysis step (b).

Selon une première variante de mise en oeuvre s'appliquant de préférence à un dispositif 1 conforme au premier mode de réalisation décrit ci-dessus, on bornera, lors de l'étape (b) d'analyse, la valeur du signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité du courant de décharge de telle sorte que ladite valeur ne puisse excéder un maximum Isup.According to a first variant implementation is preferably applied to a device 1 according to the first embodiment described above, we confine, in step (b) of analysis, the signal value I my Representative the intensity of the discharge current so that said value can not exceed a maximum I sup .

En outre, on détermine de préférence, lors de l'étape (b) d'analyse, une valeur Emes représentative de l'énergie électrique reçue par le composant de protection 3, ladite valeur Emes représentative de l'énergie reçue par le composant de protection 3 étant de préférence calculée en intégrant le signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité en fonction du temps t. In addition, during the analysis step (b), a value E mes representative of the electrical energy received by the protection component 3 is preferably determined, said value E mes representative of the energy received by the protection component 3 being preferably calculated by integrating the signal I my representative of the intensity as a function of time t.

De façon préférentielle, lors de l'étape (c) d'activation sélective, on compare la valeur Emes représentative de l'énergie électrique reçue par le composant de protection 3 à une valeur prédéterminée Eseuil et l'on active le moyen de déconnexion 6 si ladite valeur Emes représentative de l'énergie reçue par le composant de protection 3 dépasse ladite valeur prédéterminée Eseuil.Preferably, during the selective activation step (c), the value E mes representative of the electrical energy received by the protection component 3 is compared with a predetermined value E threshold and the means of activation is activated. disconnection 6 if said value E mes representative of the energy received by the protection component 3 exceeds said predetermined value E threshold .

Avantageusement, le traitement du signal Imes par bornage supérieur permet en effet de tirer de la grandeur Emes = ∫tI Imes. dt une information sur la durée du phénomène vecteur de l'énergie reçue par le composant de protection 3.Advantageously, the processing of the signal I mes by upper bounding makes it possible to draw from the size E mes = ∫ tI Imes. dt information on the duration of the phenomenon vector of the energy received by the protection component 3.

En d'autres termes, la double condition nécessaire à la déconnexion, portant d'une part sur le franchissement d'un seuil énergie reçue par le composant de protection 3, et d'autre part sur les modalités d'apport de cette énergie permet de conclure quant au caractère néfaste de la décharge pour ledit composant de protection 3.In other words, the dual condition necessary for the disconnection, relating on the one hand to the crossing of a threshold energy received by the protection component 3, and on the other hand to the modalities of supply of this energy allows to conclude as to the harmful nature of the discharge for the said protective component 3.

Avantageusement, on choisit le temps d'intégration tI, du signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité du courant de décharge comme supérieur ou égal à la durée caractéristique tF des phénomènes de surtensions transitoires, et inférieur ou égal à une durée caractéristique des surtensions temporaires appartenant à la plage basse des durées des surtensions temporaires, ledit temps d'intégration tI étant de préférence choisi dans la plage comprise entre 400 microsecondes et 5 millisecondes, et de façon particulièrement préférentielle dans la plage comprise entre 500 microsecondes et 1 milliseconde.Advantageously, it is chosen integration time T I, the I signal I representative of the intensity of the discharge current as greater than or equal to the duration t F characteristic phenomena of transient voltage surges, and less than or equal to a duration typical of temporary overvoltages belonging to the low range of the temporary overvoltages, said integration time t I being preferably chosen in the range between 400 microseconds and 5 milliseconds, and particularly preferably in the range between 500 microseconds and 1 millisecond .

Ainsi, dans cette mise en oeuvre, le procédé de surveillance conforme à l'invention permet avantageusement de déterminer, lors de l'étape (b) d'analyse, si le composant de protection 3 est traversé par un courant de décharge de nature transitoire ou par un courant de décharge de nature plus durable, notamment temporaire.Thus, in this implementation, the monitoring method according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to determine, during step (b) of analysis, whether the protection component 3 is traversed by a discharge current of a transient nature. or by a discharge current of a more durable nature, in particular a temporary one.

De façon particulièrement avantageuse, ce procédé permet donc d'opérer une discrimination en assortissant l'analyse du signal Imes représentatif de l'intensité du courant de décharge qui traverse ledit composant de protection 3 de critères restrictifs, de telle sorte que seuls des phénomènes plus durables que les phénomènes transitoires, et en particulier des phénomènes temporaires (TOV), sont susceptibles de remplir les conditions nécessaires au déclenchement de la déconnexion.Particularly advantageously, this process makes it possible to discriminate by matching signal analysis my I representative of the intensity of the discharge current flowing through said guard component 3 of restrictive criteria, so that only phenomena more durable than the transient phenomena, and in particular temporary phenomena (TOV), are likely to fulfill the conditions necessary to trigger the disconnection.

Ainsi, lors de l'étape (c) d'activation sélective, il est possible de ne pas activer, ou d'inhiber, le moyen de déconnexion 6 si l'étape (b) d'analyse détermine que le courant de décharge est de nature transitoire.Thus, during step (c) of selective activation, it is possible not to activate, or to inhibit, the disconnection means 6 if the analysis step (b) determines that the discharge current is transient nature.

De façon particulièrement préférentielle, les étapes (a), (b) et (e) sont réalisées sensiblement en continu lors du fonctionnement du dispositif 1, de manière à minimiser le temps de latence entre l'apparition d'un courant dangereux et l'activation du moyen de déconnexion.In a particularly preferred manner, the steps (a), (b) and (e) are carried out substantially continuously during the operation of the device 1, so as to minimize the latency between the occurrence of a dangerous current and the activation of the disconnection means.

En particulier, la mise en oeuvre de la variante de réalisation illustrée sur la figure 3 permet une intégration « glissante » de Imes et une activation quasi-immédiate du moyen de déconnexion lorsque Umes franchit Useuil.In particular, the implementation of the embodiment variant illustrated on the figure 3 allows a "slippery" integration of I mes and an almost immediate activation of the means of disconnection when U mes crosses U threshold .

De façon particulièrement avantageuse, le dispositif 1 conforme à l'invention permet donc d'établir très rapidement un diagnostic de l'état du composant de protection 3 et ainsi de procéder si nécessaire à une mise en sécurité dudit dispositif 1 particulièrement précoce.In a particularly advantageous manner, the device 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible very quickly to establish a diagnosis of the state of the protection component 3 and thus to proceed if necessary to make said particularly precocious device 1 secure.

De plus, la gestion fine du processus de déconnexion basée sur une identification de la nature du phénomène électrique affectant le composant de protection 3 et sur l'adaptation de la réponse du dispositif 1 selon que ledit phénomène est de nature transitoire ou de nature plus durable, notamment temporaire, permet une déconnexion à bon escient. En particulier, on peut ainsi prévenir une ouverture inopportune du circuit de décharge alors que celui-ci écoule une intensité très élevée provoquée par une surtension due à la foudre.In addition, the fine management of the disconnection process based on an identification of the nature of the electrical phenomenon affecting the protection component 3 and on the adaptation of the response of the device 1 according to whether said phenomenon is of transient nature or of a more durable nature , especially temporary, allows a disconnection wisely. In particular, it can thus prevent an untimely opening of the discharge circuit while it flows a very high intensity caused by an overvoltage due to lightning.

Ainsi, le dispositif 1 conforme à l'invention cumule les deux avantages d'un très faible temps de réaction, lequel permet une mise en sécurité quasi-immédiate en cas de défaillance du composant de protection, et d'une préservation du pouvoir de décharge dudit dispositif, dans la mesure où il est possible de faire travailler le composant de protection jusqu'à la limite extrême de ses capacités.Thus, the device 1 according to the invention combines the two advantages of a very short reaction time, which allows an almost immediate safety in case of failure of the protection component, and a preservation of the discharge power said device, to the extent that it is possible to make work the protection component to the extreme limit of its capabilities.

Par ailleurs, l'activation rapide du moyen de déconnexion 6 peut permettre d'isoler le composant de protection 3 alors que les conditions de tension et/ou de courant n'ont pas encore atteint le seuil à partir duquel un arc électrique est susceptible de s'amorcer lors de la séparation des parties conductrices du moyen de contact 7. Ainsi, un réglage approprié du dispositif conforme à l'invention permet d'assurer une séparation nette et sûre sans formation d'un arc électrique qui prolongerait la circulation d'un courant dangereux ou, le cas échéant, dans des conditions propices à l'extinction rapide d'un arc électrique éventuellement formé.Moreover, the rapid activation of the disconnection means 6 can make it possible to isolate the protection component 3 while the voltage and / or current conditions have not yet reached the threshold from which an arc electrical power is likely to begin during the separation of the conductive parts of the contact means 7. Thus, an appropriate adjustment of the device according to the invention ensures a clear and secure separation without formation of an electric arc that would prolong the circulation of a dangerous current or, where appropriate, under conditions conducive to the rapid extinction of an electric arc that may be formed.

De façon particulièrement avantageuse, un dispositif 1 conforme à l'invention est adapté non seulement à la déconnexion du composant de protection en cas d'emballement thermique en fin de vie de celui-ci, mais également, à la différence des moyens de déconnexion thermiques connus, en cas de défaillance brusque liée par exemple à l'application d'une TOV.In a particularly advantageous manner, a device 1 according to the invention is adapted not only to the disconnection of the protection component in the event of thermal runaway at the end of its life, but also, unlike the thermal disconnection means. known, in case of sudden failure related for example to the application of a TOV.

Claims (18)

  1. A device (1) for protecting an electrical installation (2) against voltage surges comprising, at least one protective component (3) for connection to said electrical installation (2), such as a varistor, said protective component (3) being capable of being traversed by an electric discharge current when it is connected to the electrical installation (2), and, disconnection means (6) adapted, when activated, to disconnect said protective component (3) from said electrical installation (2), characterized in that it comprises:
    - acquisition means (10) able to supply a signal (Imes) representative of the strength of said discharge current as a function of time (t);
    - analyzing means (12) for applying processing to said signal (Imes) so as to determine whether the discharge current is transient in nature or of a temporary nature, the analyzing means being adapted to apply an upper ceiling value to said signal (Imes) representing the strength of the discharge current, the value of said signal then not being allowed to exceed a maximum value (Isup);
    - selective activation means (14) adapted to activate or not activate the disconnection means (6) depending on the nature of the discharge current determined by the analyzing means,
    wherein the analyzing means (12) are adapted to determine a value (Emes) representative of the electrical energy received by the protective component (3) and wherein the selective activation means (14) are arranged to activate the disconnection means (6) when said value (Emes) representative of the energy received by the protective component(3) exceeds a predetermined value (Eseuil).
  2. The device according to claim 1 characterized in that the acquisition means (10) supply the signal (Imes) representative of the strength of the current flowing through the protective component in the form of a voltage (Urn) and in that the analyzing means (12) comprises a voltage-limiting element, such as a clipping varistor (15) to prevent the value of said voltage exceeding a predetermined maximum value.
  3. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the analyzing means (12) calculate the value (Emes) representative of the energy received by the protective component (3) by integrating the signal (Imes) representative of the strength of the current as a function of time (t).
  4. The device according to claim 3 characterized in that the analyzing means (12) comprise an integrating component such as a capacitor (C1).
  5. The device according to one of Claims 3 or 4 characterized in that the analyzing means comprise an element for adjusting the period of integration (t1) of the signal (Imes), such as one or more resistive components (R1, R2).
  6. The device according to one of claims 3 to 5 characterized in that the period of integration (tI) of the signal (Imes) representative of the strength of the discharge current is greater than or equal to a duration (tF) that is characteristic of the phenomena of transient voltage surges and less than or equal to a duration typical of temporary voltage surges falling within the low range of the durations of temporary voltage surges.
  7. The device according to claim 6 characterized in that the period of integration (ti) is substantially comprised between 400 microseconds and 5 milliseconds, and preferably between 500 microseconds and 1 millisecond.
  8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the selective activation means (14) include an element for adjusting the predetermined value (Eseuil).
  9. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the selective activation means (14) do not activate the disconnecting means (6) when the analyzing means (12) determine that the discharge current is transient in nature.
  10. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disconnection means (6) are arranged to be able to perform reversible disconnection of the protective component (3).
  11. The device according to claim 10 characterized in that it comprises automatic resetting means adapted to cause the protective component (3) to be re-connected.
  12. The device according to claim 11 characterized in that it comprises cutout maintaining means designed to prevent the protective component (3) being reset by the automatic reset means as long as the voltage across the device (1), which lead to disconnection of the protective component (3) is maintaining a level that is higher than a predetermined safety voltage.
  13. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it constitutes a protection device against transient voltage surges due to lightning.
  14. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the protective component (3) is formed by a varistor.
  15. A method for monitoring a device for protecting (1) an electrical installation (2) against voltage surges comprising, , at least one protective component (3) for connection to said electrical installation (2), such as a varistor, said protective component (3) being capable of being traversed by an electric discharge current when it is connected to the electrical installation (2), and, disconnection means (6) adapted, when activated, to disconnect said protective component (3) from said electrical installation (2), characterized in that it comprises:
    - a step (a) of acquisition during which a signal (Imes) representative of the strength of said discharge current as a function of time (t) is acquired,
    - an analysis step (b) during which said signal (Imes) is processed so as to determine whether the discharge current is transient in nature or of a temporary nature, and an upper ceiling value is applied to said signal (Imes) representative of the strength of the discharge current whereby said value may not exceed a maximum value (Isup);
    - a selective activation step for activating or not activating the disconnection means (6) depending on the nature of the discharge current determined at analysis step (b),
    wherein at analysis step (b), a value (Emes) representative of the electrical energy received by the protective component (3) is determined and wherein, at step (c) of selective activation, said value (Emes) representative of the electrical energy received by the protective component (3) is compared with a predetermined value (Eseuil) and said disconnection means (6) are activated if said value (Emes) representative of the energy received by the protective component (3) exceeds said predetermined value (Emes).
  16. The method according to claim 15 characterized in that, during step (b) of analysis, the value (Emes) representative of the energy received by the protective component is calculated by integrating the signal (Imes) representative of current strength as a function of time (t).
  17. The method according to claim 16 characterized in that the period of integration (ti) of the signal (Imes) representative of the strength of the discharge current is selected to be greater than or equal to the characteristic duration (tF) of transient surge phenomena and less than or equal to a duration typical of temporary voltage surges falling within the low range of the durations of temporary voltage surges, said period of integration (ti) being preferably selected in the range of from 400 microseconds to 5 milliseconds, and particularly preferably in the range of from 500 microseconds to 1 millisecond.
  18. The method according to one of claims 15 to 17 characterized in that, during step (c) of selective activation, the disconnection means are not activated if analysis step (b) determines that the discharge current is transient in nature.
EP07356082.3A 2006-06-20 2007-06-15 Device for protecting against voltage surges with improved capacity for securing by disconnection and corresponding method Active EP1870976B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0605501A FR2902580B1 (en) 2006-06-20 2006-06-20 OVERCURRENT PROTECTION DEVICE WITH IMPROVED DISCONNECTION SAFETY CAPABILITY AND CORRESPONDING METHOD

Publications (3)

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EP1870976A2 EP1870976A2 (en) 2007-12-26
EP1870976A3 EP1870976A3 (en) 2014-05-21
EP1870976B1 true EP1870976B1 (en) 2015-10-28

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EP (1) EP1870976B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2558984T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2902580B1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102016000355A1 (en) * 2015-09-11 2017-03-16 DEHN + SÖHNE GmbH + Co. KG. Arrangement for the safe, independent of switchgear or fuses, mains-side separation of overvoltage protection devices in the case of critical operating conditions

Families Citing this family (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102008016589A1 (en) * 2008-03-31 2009-10-01 Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG guard
GB0919699D0 (en) 2009-11-11 2009-12-30 Kitchener Renato Fault diagnostics, surge detection and failure prediction method
EP2333925B1 (en) * 2009-12-08 2013-02-13 Raychem International Surge arrester condition monitoring
CN103779854B (en) * 2012-10-24 2017-09-29 孙巍巍 A kind of surge protector
EP4329115A1 (en) * 2022-08-25 2024-02-28 Schneider Electric Industries SAS Electrical protection device for disconnecting a device for surge protection

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE58907258D1 (en) * 1988-02-04 1994-04-28 Siemens Ag Protective device against overvoltages.
AT391571B (en) * 1988-07-06 1990-10-25 Biegelmeier Gottfried DISCONNECTING DEVICE FOR OVERVOLTAGE ARRESTERS (ARRESTER DISCONNECTORS, AT-SWITCHES)
US5617288A (en) * 1995-06-05 1997-04-01 Leviton Manufacturing Co., In. Automatic surge suppressor disconnect protection system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102016000355A1 (en) * 2015-09-11 2017-03-16 DEHN + SÖHNE GmbH + Co. KG. Arrangement for the safe, independent of switchgear or fuses, mains-side separation of overvoltage protection devices in the case of critical operating conditions

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1870976A2 (en) 2007-12-26
EP1870976A3 (en) 2014-05-21
FR2902580B1 (en) 2008-10-17
ES2558984T3 (en) 2016-02-09
FR2902580A1 (en) 2007-12-21

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